Obituary of Janis E. Stewart

Janis Elaine Stewart, 65 died very suddenly but peacefully at home in her favorite chair surrounded by her faithful 2 dogs and 1 cat and best friend and companion Joanne Zaunegger on November 1, 2016. Janis was a longtime Cortland resident and graduated from Cortland Senior High School with the class of 1969. While in high school she played alto sax and viola in the school's band and orchestra as well in a special music ensemble. Also, she played in the Cortland Community Orchestra. She went to Fredonia State College were she played in the Fredonia State Orchestra and graduated with a BS degree in sociology. Then she moved back to Cortland where she became a case worker at the Cortland County Department of Social Services for many years. Later she worked for Cortland Home Health Care Agency as a case worker. She retired from that agency. Janis enjoyed many hobbies. She hooked beautiful rugs, dabbled in ceramics, gardened and planted flowers, faithfully followed the Orangemen Basketball Team, loved to read lots and lots of books, and bowled on 2 women's bowling leagues at Cort-Lanes. Janis was active in numerous civic organizations in Cortland and served on many boards, especially the area Youth Bureau. When Janis was 40 she was diagnosed with MS and decided to participate in an experimental program using a new drug to treat the disease. Her battle with MS continued for over 25 years with successes and failures but she never gave up and helped led the way for others in the fight against MS. Janis was predeceased by her parents Ernest B. and Pearl R. Stewart and an infant sister Carol Ann Stewart. She is survived by 2 brothers Ronald D. (Wanda) of Montgomery, AL and Ernest C. of Commerce Twp. MI and a sister Debra F. (William) Olands of Cuyler, NY, a nephew Cheston R. (Jen) Stewart, grand niece Jordan Rae Stewart, and grandnephew Robert C. Stewart all of Wetumpka, AL plus several other cousins and close friends. A memorial service will be held in her honor at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home in Cortland on Saturday, November 19th at 12:00 pm with Fr. Peter William officiating. Friends are invited to call from 11:00 am – 12:00pm prior to the service. Burial will be in the Cortland Rural Cemetery at the family plot beside her parents, infant sister, grandparents, and aunt and uncle. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Cortland SPCA Center and the Cortland Memorial Free Library in her behalf as she requested. Her smile, positive attitude for change in the world, love for animals, and fight for the under privileged and sick will be missed. To offer online Condolences, visit www.wright-beard.com