Janet "Jan" Mihalko

Jan’s goals in life were to be a good, kind, and gentle daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and friend.
Some might consider these goals to be ambitious, but to say that Jan was strong willed would be an understatement. Once she set her mind to something, it always got done. So of course, she was all of these things and so much more.
After graduating from Vestal High School, she went on to Binghamton University (Harpur College at the time) where she met the love of her life, Bill. They would go on to be married for fifty-seven years.
After graduating with a degree in French she chose to pursue her true career goal and became a teacher. Her class of twenty first graders was the first step in a life driven by her love of children.
Jan absolutely adored teaching, but after marrying Bill, another of her lifetime goals put that on hold- motherhood.
She and Bill would have four children- Amy, Jim, Matt and Katie. Caring for and raising them was one of the great joys of her life, if not the greatest. As they grew older and became independent her passion for teaching was reignited. This led to her return to BU where she earned her Master’s in education and subsequently a job at the St. James school in JC teaching fourth grade. Teaching at St. James was certainly another of her great joys. She would likely have never stopped teaching if it weren’t for an aneurysm, which made continuing on impossible.
Not many people bounce back at all from an aneurysm as serious as hers, but true to her strength of will, she of course did. The adage “Close a door but open a window “rings true here, as soon she was blessed with the birth of her grandchildren. Amy’s son Patrick came first, followed shortly thereafter by Jim’s twins Meghan and Matthew. Bill and Jan started providing daycare for the twins, which left Jan with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement. Ben, Ashley, Molly, Teddy, Claire, and Luke would soon follow, giving Jan a total of nine grandchildren, all of whom brought her immeasurable happiness.
Jan notoriously hated flying, but as expected, she did not let that stop her from traveling all over the country with family and friends. Jan cherished these many road and train trips across the country and Canada as evidenced by her journal entries, which read like chapters of a masterfully written novel. Her words leave little to the imagination, illustrating the raw beauty of the things she saw, and articulating her gratitude for having the chance to see them.
While Jan had an appreciation for travel and the grandiose, she always found true peace in life’s simple pleasures. She often dreamed of owning a summer lake house, a place where she and her family could rest and relax. The purchase of a cottage on Highland Lake brought this dream to a reality. Whether she was baking, solving puzzles, or just being an amazing mom and grandma, the summers she spent with her family at the cottage were some of her favorites, and will never be forgotten by her children or grandchildren.
Jan’s life has had an indelible impact on all her knew her. She was a role model for all and a fighter like no other. Her fear of flying may have prevented her from becoming an astronaut and reaching the stars, but her example of how to live a good life shines just as brightly as the North Star, and will guide us forever.
Janet was predeceased by her parents Joe and Marjorie Hosie. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Bill, her children; daughters Amy and husband Jim Vignola, Katie Therrien, sons Jim and wife Maureen, Matt and wife Kate. Her Grandchildren; Patrick and Ben Vignola, Meghan, Matthew and Ashley Mihalko, Molly and Teddy Mihalko, Claire and Luke Therrien. Her brother Jim Hosie and wife Mary Ann, and brother-in-law Larry Mihalko and wife Patty and their children Gena, Laura Ann and Andrew. Also, many Hosie cousins.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 am, Friday, October 18 at Saint James Church, 147 Main Street, Johnson City. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial home 511–513 East Main Street, Endicott, Thursday, October 17 from 4–6 p.m.
In lieu of flower please consider a contribution to the Mercy House of the Southern Tier , 212 North McKinley Avenue, Endicott NY 13760. or the charity of your choice.