Janice Kaliski

1938 - 2023

Janice Graham Kaliski, 85, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, died suddenly on Sunday, October 8, 2023, following several years of declining health.

Janice was born in Johnson City, New York, to Henry Russell and Florence (Purdy) Graham, and grew up in Port Dickinson. Her father was a principal and superintendent in the school system and the founder of the Broome County Teachers' Federal Credit Union, spurring Janice's long-term interest in education.

After graduating from Binghamton North High School, Janice attended the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, receiving both a bachelor's and a master's of science degree in chemistry. While at SUNY, Janice met her future husband, Burt.

Janice and Burt married less than a year following graduation and began their life together in New Hyde Park, New York. Janice taught at the Herricks High School in New Hyde Park, New York prior to the arrival of their first child. She and Burt had five children, moving to Floral Park and Farmingdale, New York, and then to Manchester, New Hampshire, to raise their family.

Janice was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed cooking, decorating (and redecorating) their homes, sewing, and gardening. She was deeply involved in her children's education and extracurricular activities and an active volunteer in their schools. She was at Burt's side as he took on leadership roles as professor, department chair, and dean at New Hampshire College. She joined the Alpha Phi International sorority as an adviser, and along with Burt, became committed supporters of the Penmen men's basketball team.

As her children grew older, Janice enrolled at the college, where she received her master's of business administration degree. She reentered the workforce, teaching chemistry and physics at the Derryfield School and Trinity High School in Manchester, before accepting a faculty position with the New Hampshire Technical College system, first in Nashua and then in Manchester, eventually becoming chair of the science department. Janice enjoyed teaching physics to students pursuing technical training as mechanics and in other trades. She was the founding president of the New Hampshire Science and Engineering Exposition Association and looked forward to its annual science fair and expo. She also served as a mentor to multiple student teachers in New Hampshire.

Janice was an active member, volunteer, and leader at the Farmingdale United Methodist Church, the St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Manchester, and the Manchester Christian Church. She was deeply committed to her faith and to the small group of women she met with regularly. She also was politically engaged, volunteering for multiple Republican candidates and even appearing on Good Morning America to share her perspective on candidates in New Hampshire's 1980 Republican presidential primary.

In 2014, Janice and Burt relocated to the Sunnyside Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, where Janice worshiped at Meredith Chapel, became part of the "Glenside Gals," and volunteered as a visitor to residents living in the health care unit and as part of the grandparents' guild at Blue Ridge Christian School in Bridgewater, where her daughter, Karen, serves as head of school.

Following Burt's death in 2015, Janice began a new chapter, living alone for the first time in her life. She focused on her children, grandchildren, church, and community. Following a stroke, Janice relocated to assisted living until her death. The family thanks the staff at the assisted living unit, particularly the third-floor nursing team, for their loving care for Janice.

Janice is reunited with her beloved husband, Burt; parents, Henry and Florence; sisters, Iris and Marylou; and many other family and friends.

Janice is survived by her five children and their spouses: Burt Jr. (Michele), Kristen, John, Karen (Jonathan Shomo), and Michael (Evangeline); seven grandchildren: Luke (Jeni Lee), Steve (Chanya Winograd), Jessica (fiancé, Justin Goodchild), Mikayla, Caitlin, David, and Daniel; twin sister, Jane; brother-in-law, Marty (Judi); many other family and friends; and five grand- and great-grand-dogs. She was looking forward to the birth of her first great-grandchild later this year.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, October 15, at the Kyger Funeral Home in Harrisonburg. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. A memorial service will be scheduled later in Manchester, New Hampshire.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Janice's honor to the Blue Ridge Christian School (https://brcschool.org/gifts-and-donations/) or the New Hampshire Science and Engineering Exposition Association (https://nhsee.org/sponsor-us/).

Condolences may be shared at kygers.com.