Janet M. Odell

Janet was born on June 2, 1945 in Erie, PA, the daughter of the late Ralph W. and Marie Arlouine (Burgess) McCutcheon. She married Paul C. Odell on August 12, 1972 in Ripley. Mr. Odell preceded her in death October 15, 2016.

Raised in Ripley, Janet was a 1963 graduate of Ripley Central School, where she was an International Fellowship Exchange student to Peru. She received her B.A. from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL and her permanent teaching certificate from SUNY Fredonia. She also attended Sumner University of Guadalajara, Mexico, studying Mexican Culture. She worked for a brief time in the Subscription Department of National Geographic Magazine prior to enjoying a 29-year career as a Kindergarten Teacher at Westfield Academy and Central School and had been Department Chair for many years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Society of Westfield, the Alpha Phi Sorority, the YWCA of Westfield and the Chautauqua County Historical Society. She enjoyed reading, knitting and playing cards with friends, especially her Thursday Canasta club.

Janet is survived by her two daughters, Gena (Scott Peritore) Carey of Farmington, NY and Melinda (Christopher) McManus of Rochester; as well as her grandchildren, Christopher, Tyler and Kaleb McManus of Rochester, Brianna Carey and Tessa Peritore, both of Farmington. Janet is further survived by her two brothers, John (Marie) McCutcheon of Ripley and Walter (Jane) McCutcheon of Matthews, NC; as well as several nieces and nephews. Also surviving are Janet's very close friends, Brian and Maggie Paternosh; and their children, Cameron and Griffin, who she regarded as part of her family.

Friends may call at the Mason Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield on Thursday, March 2 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and are invited to attend a memorial service to be held on Friday, March 3 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church and Society of Westfield, 49 S. Portage St., Westfield, with the Rev. Katherine Rieley-Goddard officiating. Private burial will be in Westfield Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined, and memorial contributions are suggested to the Patterson Library, 40 S. Portage St., or to the YWCA of Westfield, 58 S. Portage St., both in Westfield, NY 14787.

Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Odell family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle, or for further information.

Obituary from the Observer