Janet O. Curtiss, 81, of Ithaca NY, and formerly of Union Springs NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday January 2, 2016 at her residence in Ithaca.
Janet was born in Flushing Long Island, the daughter of the late Arthur and Hedwig Ott. She moved to Union Springs at an early age and later settled down in Ithaca. Janet worked at Cornell University before embarking on a successful career as a travel agent with the AAA. After retirement, Janet became the traveler instead of the travel planner. Over many years Janet and her cruising friends Dotty and Clarence (Mark) Marquis, and Felicite Hibbard experienced the world on numerous cruises. They enjoyed fine dining, rides in a dugout canoe, cuddling with Iditarod puppies in training, and everything in between. When Janet wasn't spanning the globe with her friends, she shared and expanded a love for animals, becoming a Volunteer Coordinator for the Pet the Pet Program where she provided pet therapy visits to area nursing and senior homes with her dear friend Nancy Given. Janet also had many other interests including a good game of Scrabble, anything related to seashells, and time spent with her late canine companions Samantha and Paige.
Janet was predeceased by her husband Stephen A. Curtiss, and daughter Susan L. Curtiss. She is survived by her children Richard (Joan) Curtiss, John (Carol Heelas) Curtiss, Mary Eleanor (Mike) Ahearn; a sister Audrey (Robert) Lambert of Rome NY; grandchildren Rachel Curtiss and Anthony Curtiss; as well as several cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Friends and relatives are invited to join the family on April 2nd, 2016 at 11 a.m. for a memorial service at the Trinity Lutheran Church on Honness Lane in Ithaca, NY. Prior to the memorial, a brief service will also be held at the Frear Memorial Park Cemetery in Ithaca for family and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Pet the Pet Program, 6371 Strong Rd, Trumansburg NY 14886, or to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 149 Honness Lane, Ithaca NY 14850.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Janet O. Curtiss, please visit our flower store.