Janet Boyce Daley

Janet Boyce Daley, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, great aunt and friend to many, passed away peacefully on October 12th at the age of 101.
She is survived by her son Martin Daley (Judi), daughter Ann Spitzer, grandchildren Johanna Banks (Cale), Christopher Daley (Erin), Sarah Daley, Brett Daley (Laura), and six beautiful great-grandchildren, all of whom were a constant source of joy in her life. Janet is also survived by nieces Rebecca Peach (Phil) and Elizabeth Linder (Allen), nephew David Boyce (Candace) and grandniece Loretta Ryan (John). She is also survived by cousins James Nolan and Dawn Allyn (Lou) and several second cousins including Matt Nolan (Sherri) and Dan Nolan (Kim). Janet was predeceased by her husband of 37 years, Martin ("Dale") Stanton Daley, a career typesetter at the Poughkeepsie Journal, who passed 1989. She was also predeceased by her loving son-in-law Michael Spitzer who passed in July of this year.
Born August 10,1924 to Margaret Nolan Boyce and Edward Boyce of Poughkeepsie, NY, Janet attended elementary and high school in Poughkeepsie where she remained until the early 1950's when she and Dale moved to Hyde Park.
Over the years Janet was employed in Poughkeepsie by the telephone company, the Department of Social Services and Central Hudson. But it was her decades of giving back to the community of Hyde Park that Janet enjoyed and was known for the most. She volunteered at local food banks. She also volunteered for more than 30 years at Meals on Wheels and at the Mark-It Place consignment shop. She was active in Hyde Park's Reformed Dutch Church and later at the United Methodist Church.
Janet preferred the simpler things in life. She was an avid reader and loved to browse antique bookstores and libraries for old English mysteries. She enjoyed spending time outdoors with her friends and neighbors, playing a competitive game of cards, doing crossword puzzles in ink, and visiting flea markets and garage sales for treasures.
Janet was often referred to as the "mayor" of Hyde Park. Everywhere she went people recognized her and stopped to talk. Last year in the weeks leading to Janet's 100th birthday, the Hyde Park Fire Department approached the family to ask if they could contribute to any festivities planned for her special occasion. Contribute they did, by picking her up in a vintage fire truck and driving her around the neighborhood along with other fire trucks, sirens on, with neighbors waving curbside and holding signs and balloons. The parade culminated at a local restaurant where a large gathering of excited family members and friends awaited her grand arrival to continue in the celebration.
Janet will be sincerely missed by everyone. Her memory will endure through the countless lives she touched with her love, her generosity and her candid wit. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the caregivers who, with compassion and kindness, helped Janet remain comfortably in her home in recent years. They are also most thankful for the professional and tender care she received during her last few weeks at The Meadows at Brookmeade in Rhinebeck.
A service will be held for Janet at 10:00am on Saturday, October 25th at the United Methodist Church of Hyde Park on 1 Church Street, Hyde Park, NY 12538. A reception of comfort and remembrance will follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Meals on Wheels of Greater Hyde Park. 1 Church St. Hyde Park, NY 12538
To send an online condolence, please visit www.sweetsfuneralhome.com