Janeth W. Richards

Janeth W. Richards

Age 99, formerly of Watkins Glen and Alpine, NY, passed away July 31, 2024 at Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility.

Jan was born in Waverly, PA on December 26, 1924 to Gertrude and Ralph West. Following her high school graduation from Van Etten in 1944 she became a nurse's aid in Pediatrics at the Robert Packer Hospital. She was married to Rexford Richards in Lockwood Methodist Church in 1947 and raised their three children on the family-owned dairy farm in Alpine. She was a member of the Odessa Baptist Church and, following retirement, of the First Presbyterian Church of Watkins Glen. Jan loved flowers and birds, especially all those she could see through her window, and lived a life of extraordinary public service. 

She was an active member of Zonta, the Schuyler County Hospital Auxiliary, and the Schuyler County Farm Bureau, of which she served as secretary and office manager and wrote a column and published a newsletter for a number of years. An avid reader, she instigated the founding of Odessa’s public library and was a longtime volunteer. Janeth was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Rex. 

She is survived by her daughter Pamela of Portland, Maine and sons Jeffrey of Newfield, NY and Malcolm (Mary) of Alpine, NY, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations are welcome to the Dutton S. Peterson Memorial Library, Odessa, NY. 

A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Thursday, October 3rd, at 1:00pm at Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen; followed by a committal service and interment at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Odessa at 2:15pm. 

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the doctors and staff at Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility.