Janice Owen Meeks

April 3, 1935 - October 15, 2025

GENEVA - Janice Meeks passed away peacefully after a brief illness at Strong Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, October 15, in the company of loving family members. Janice made the decision to transition to palliative care and her biggest concern was that people she loved would be "disappointed" by her decision. She was reassured that her loved ones supported her, no matter what. Janice always put the needs of others first and made her own decisions.

Janice was born on April 3, 1935. She was the eldest of four children born to Winifred and Albert Owen and lived her entire life in Geneva N.Y., most recently at the Lewis Street Apartments. Janice is survived by her sister Allene Jones (most recently of Waterloo) and her brother Dale (Maryann) Owen of Pittsford. Janice leaves behind six children: Janalee (Stanley) Weaver of Geneva, Jeannette (Bob) Dunkel of Stanley, Gary (Renee) Meeks of Hammondsport, Nancy (Wheat) Cripe of South Dakota, Mark Burnett of Phelps and Carl (Jenn) Meeks of Geneva. She also leaves behind a beautiful legacy in her 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter. She also has many nieces and nephews and she specifically requested that special mention be made to her niece, Jonalle Wheeler, who has taken special care of her for a long time and was her health care advocate. Janice was preceded in death by her sister Betty (Poppy) Morse of Colorado and her ex-husband Robert Meeks. She wants everyone to know that her children and family were always the most important thing in her life.

Janice worked for many years as a childcare worker at the Methodist Church daycare before she opened her own in-home licensed day care. She had countless stories to share about "her kids." Many of these "kids", parents and co-workers responded on Facebook to her request for memories and they brought her considerable joy and comfort in her last few days. She also wanted it mentioned that one of her favorite memories was serving as camp director at Girl Scout Camp Kanadasaga on Seneca Lake. She remembered campfires, swimming, arts and crafts and having her sleeping bag dragged to the wood chip pile in the middle of the night by campers. After working many years in childcare, she worked as the "lunch lady" at both North and West Street Schools. She stated that she loved this job and especially the friendships she made with her co-workers.

Janice stated that looking back on her life she "always felt loved." She spent two days sharing memories with her family before quietly falling asleep. Janice wanted everyone to know that she loves them and holds everyone dear to her heart. She stated that she was looking forward to being reunited with loved ones, especially her sister Poppy and her mother. She asks that the people who love her continue to love each other.

At Janice's request, there will be no service or calling hours. Janice was an avid reader and in the last few years she was very grateful to have books delivered to her from the Geneva Public Library. She requests that if anyone would like to make a donation in her memory, it should be made to the Geneva Public Library. You may send donations directly to the library "in memory of Janice Meeks."