Janice W. Gustafson, 94

Wellsville, NY - Janice W. Gustafson, 94, of 32 Brooklyn Heights went to be with her Lord and Savior, on  Monday, September 13, 2021 shortly after arrival at River Hospital in Alexandra Bay, NY. She passed in the Thousand Islands an area she loved throughout her life. She was born December 7, 1926 in Perth Amboy, NJ, the daughter of the late Ray F. and Agnes I. (Lunn) Wilcox. On April 8, 1949 in Wellsville she married Carl O. Gustafson who predeceased her on October 18, 1991.

Janice was raised in Wellsville and was a 1945 graduate of Wellsville High School. She was first employed as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone, in Wellsville and Miami, Florida, for nine years. She was also a waitress for many years at the Fassett House and Longvue Restaurant, and loved all the people she served. In 1967 she and Carl purchased the Riverview Motel in Alexandria  Bay, a summer business they operated until 1978. For many years Janice worked for Wellsville Central School, holding a variety of positions as a cafeteria employee, retiring in 1982. At that point she joyfully began to care for her grandchildren and the children of several other local families, and was a loving grandmother figure to many. 

Janice was happiest when she was with her family. She enjoyed meeting new people, discussing current events, playing cards, sunsets, traveling, especially to Florida with Karen, and to the 1000 Islands with Kim and Cathy. She also loved the many events and celebrations of her large extended family. She was an active member of the Wellsville First United Methodist Church, serving in a variety of ministries, and a former member of the Wellsville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.  

She is survived by three daughters, Karen (Norman) King of Bradenton, Fl, Cathy (John) Lewis of Wellsville, and Kimberly (John) Rees of Batavia,  a special “son” Michael (Ruth) Stanton, eight grandchildren, John (Mary Beth) King, Gregory (Lois) Lewis, Adam (Ai) King, Hilary (Matthew) Jones, Emily King Willard, Kelli (James) McClurg, Courtney (Michael) Marsh, and David Rees, 16 Great Grandchildren, four siblings, Edythe DeMarco, David, (Clair) Wilcox, Carole (Tony) Nero, and Rodger Wilcox and his companion, Lucy Andre, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in addition to her parents by three brothers, Bruce, Herman, and Ray Wilcox.

Friends are invited to call on Sunday, September 19, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc., 34 W. State Street in Wellsville; and on Monday, September  20, from 12 noon until 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 79 Madison Street in Wellsville. The funeral will follow visitation at 1:00 pm Monday in Church with Rev. Dr. Roy Miller presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please consider memorial donations to the Children Section of the David A. Howe Public Library, 155 N. Main Street, Wellsville, NY 14895, or to any charity of the donor's choice. To leave online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.