Obituary of Janet E. Stermer

Stermer, Janet "Jeana" E. of Horseheads Age 78 Janet “Jeana” Stermer, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend left our mortal world on Wednesday March 2, 2011 while surrounded by family. Predeceased by father Richard Strong, step father Willard Bates and mother Ida Jean Horton Strong Bates, ex husband Arthur "Todd" Stermer, son Dana Stermer, grandson James Stermer Wandell, sister Audrey Walker and friend Beverly Bidwell. She is survived by Ernie (Laura) Stermer of Canandaigua, Renea Stermer of Erin, Eric (Cissy) Stermer of Elmira, Mary Lou Earle of Elmira Heights and Brent (Peter) Stermer of Elmira. Grand Children Chantil (Daniel) Bates, Josh (Melissa) Stermer, Jeremy Stermer, Kevin Stermer, Ryenna (Ryan) Clark, Brian Bonci, Blake Stermer, sisters Virginia Bailey and Edna Link. Many much loved neices and nephews including Catlynne (The Cat Rescuer) Arkin. Her good chums Patricia A. Campenelli and Bucky Youmans. As well as her special friend Tariq Hussain, who made her smile often in the last months of her life. Jeanna leaves behind her the inspiration for us all to be great. A truly accomplished woman, she raised a large family, ran her own business, and found time to pursue her graduate studies. Throughout her life, Jeana shared her passions and supported those around her in their challenges. She was a master gardener, made her own wines and exemplified selflessness through service. Not only a patron of the arts, agriculture and education, she was a volunteer through many organizations, including The Corning Museum of Glass, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Chemung County Agriculture Society,The Near West Side Neighborhood Association, WSKG and Community Arts of Elmira. Jeana raised those around her to be not only accepting of diversity, but also to embrace it as a necessity within all of our lives. She raised her children to break through boundaries and to remove walls that divide us. Jeana fought for the rights of the differently abled, and saw her children go on to make history, to become successful entrepreneurs and to give back to their community through service. She celebrated all that life had to give. Jeana was a true fighter, beating cancer twice and managing to take on any challenge that came her way. She did not merely survive, Jeana thrived. We should all be so focused, driven and optimistic. As the Spring flowers begin to appear in gardens and on the wild hillsides, think of a great woman that would see them as a sign of renewal---not the end of winter, but the continuation of a life cycle--for there are no abrupt ends, there is only a progression, one that Jeana would make the most of! Jeana's wishes were that family and friends would attend a Mardi gras themed celebration of her life on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at Community Arts of Elmira, 413 Lake Street Elmira at 3:00 pm, for a time of gathering for stories, food, dancing and fellowship that will follow in the center until 7:00pm. keepsake of stories will be gathered after the service, those wishing to participate please feel free to bring a written story or photos with you to add to our book of keepsakes. Flowers welcomed and those wishing to make a memorial donation in her memory to Community Arts of Elmira 413 Lake Street Elmira NY 14901, envelopes provided at the center; otherwise, please make a donation to a charity of your choice.