The campus community mourns the passing of Janet Smith P’88, 90, who died Wednesday, March 13. Janet retired from Bucknell in 1999 after more than 25 years of service in Publications, Print & Mail, previously known as Administrative Services. Janet’s work in the mailroom was always done with a pleasant smile and a kind word, and she was a great team contributor.
I encourage you to visit our In Memoriam site to share personal notes of sympathy and remembrance with others.
On behalf of our entire University community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Janet’s family, as well as to all who knew her at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
Janet L. Smith, 90, formerly of Turbotville, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born December 12, 1933, in Lewisburg, she was the daughter of the late Cleaver and Pauline (Ritter) Berger. On June 12, 1961, she married George C. Smith, and they celebrated 54 years of marriage until his death on November 27, 2015.
She was a 1951 graduate of Lewisburg High School. She had worked at Bechtel’s Dairy in Lewisburg and later retired from Bucknell University, where she had worked 25 years. She and her husband owned and operated Mystic Candlecrafters from their home for many years.
She enjoyed crocheting and shopping, but most of all loved the times she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving are three daughters: Linda S. Ranck (a Bucknell retiree) and her husband, James, of Watsontown; Holly D. Gauger (a Bucknell employee) and her husband, David (a Bucknell retiree), of Turbotville; and Georgia R. Laudenslager ’88 of Milton; five granddaughters: Amanda N. Anderson, Jessica L. Gauger (Jeremy Koch), Cortney L. Ranck-Cameron and husband Ryan; Sabrina R. Strassner, and Elizabeth A. Laudenslager; two great-granddaughters: Sierra J. Anderson and Kali Cameron; and twin great-grandsons, Camryn D. and Colby S. Koch.
Preceding her in death besides her parents and husband was a sister, Shirley Jean Pennycoff and a brother-in-law, Raymond Pennycoff.
A visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday, March 19, 2024 from 1 to 2:00 PM at Trinity United Church of Christ, Turbotville, where a funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM with Pastor Doug Schader officiating. Burial will be held privately in Milton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in her memory be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/donate.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brooks Funeral Home and Cremation Svc., PC, 207 Broadway St., Turbotville.