Janet M. Hogan

December 31, 1943 — January 1, 2025

Janet Hogan, 81, of Apalachin died on New Year’s Day under the watchful care of staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, New York.
She was predeceased by her parents, James and Margaret Kovach, of Depew, NY, and her brother James Kovach of Anderson, Indiana. She is survived by her brother, Robert.
Janet and Daniel Hogan were married for 56 years and raised Sean (Marnie Aylesworth), Kathleen Flinn (Richard) and Kevin (Alyssa Rosato). Their grandchildren Kieran, Daniel, Mia, Madelyn, Michael and Kaitlin adored Nana, who was always quick with an embrace or gift from the Cookie Nut jar.
Janet was fiercely devoted to her family and committed to being a lifetime learner. She was steadfast in teaching her children and her students how to explore the world. She eagerly embraced technology while cherishing the past. She loved books but abhorred Wikipedia.
Her home was a treasure chest of her personality, from the shelves full of much-read books, baking equipment, and sewing supplies to her well-tended gardens and collectables from around the world. The homes of her children and grandchildren continue to carry on these traditions.
Janet graduated from D’Youville College and earned a master’s degree at the University at Buffalo. She taught for a short time at South Park High School in Buffalo and Owego-Apalachin.
While raising their children in Tioga Terrace, she took a part-time position at the Vestal Public Library, which re-ignited her passion for learning and teaching. After becoming a reference librarian at Vestal, she earned a master’s degree in Library Science at the University at Albany, worked at Cornell’s Uris Library and became a librarian and instructor at Binghamton University before retiring. Janet believed that libraries should be loud and lively, and if she ever “shushed” you, it’s probably because you were being too quiet.
In the meantime, Janet often worked behind the scenes to promote literacy and fairness. She was a long-serving board member with the Apalachin Public Library, working tirelessly to build that community resource, and volunteered with organizations such as the League of Women Voters to promote the ERA as well as her participation with St. Margaret Mary’s and Our Lady of Sorrows churches.
Janet and Dan enjoyed retirement to the fullest, hosting holiday dinners and sleepovers with the grandkids and leaving their footprints across destinations of their dreams such as Hungary, England, Italy, Amsterdam, Ireland, France, Hawaii and more.
Family and friends remember Janet for her patience and compassion. In April, the Binghamton University rowing alumni presented Janet with a special gift, a commemoration of a boat in her name, a heartfelt tribute from her years of supporting the program with the gift of her husband.
She was also loved by an extended family across the country: Sandra Kovach, Alice and the late Donald Appenheimer, Donald and Kathleen Volk, James and Beverly Hogan, William and Patricia Mager, Nancy and the late Michael Hogan, as well as her beloved nieces and nephews, who remember her selflessness and kind heart.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 am, Wednesday, January 8, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 801 Main Street, Vestal. Burial will be in Vestal Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at church Wednesday, January 8 from 930 am, until Mass time at 10:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Apalachin Library at apalachinlibrary.org/donate or the Vestal Public Library at vestalpubliclibrary.org/donate.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

9:30 - 10:30 am (Eastern time)

Our Lady of Sorrows Church

801 Main Street, Vestal, NY 13850

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