Janice F. Rich

Janice Faye Forbes Rich, age 84, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away Tuesday, September 21, 2022 surrounded by her family from complications related to Alzheimer’s Dementia.  Born February 12, 1938 to Robert and Cecile Forbes in Belcross, North Carolina. She graduated from Camden High School in 1956 where she was a member of the Girls Basketball Team, Future Farmers of America, 4-H, the Choir, the Year Book Committee and the Calligraphy Club. She was voted “Most Friendly” her senior year and it stated in the year book “if you hear laughter and giggles you know it’s Janice”.

She met her husband (a Navy man) at the Circle and they were married on November 29, 1956 at Sawyers Creek Baptist Church. Shortly after the wedding they came to Ithaca, New York to be closer to Rich’s family. Janice was a stay at home mom until her children left Elementary School. She was the Home Room Mom for all of her children and was famous for her specialty cakes and cupcakes. She always decorated them with homemade roses and flowers, decorations requested by her children or whatever holiday was being celebrated. Even after her children left South Hill Elementary School, many teachers would request her to be their Home Room Mom.

Janice worked at Evaporated Medal Films for 18 years and only called in sick once in all those years. After EMF, she volunteered at the Reconstruction Home helping in the office. She eventually became the full time receptionist. When she was working there were always residents in the lobby with her, and not a baby came through that door that she did not hold. She retired from Beechtree Care Center (formerly known as Reconstruction Home) in 2011.

Janice and her husband, Rich, along with their dear friends, Dave and Nancy Fuller, spent every fall following the Ithaca College Football Team. It was a very rare occasion that they ever missed a game, whether home or away. She enjoyed clipping all the articles about the Bombers and sending them to players’ parents and families. She kept in touch with many players and their parents for years, and many players became not just friends, but family.

She also had a great love for Cardinals. She loved her Cardinal sweaters, earrings, everything Cardinal. She was known for always having her fingernails painted Cardinal red, and always having her name bird feeders full.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Albert J. Rich; her parents, Robert and Cecile Forbes; her grandson, Lance Corporal Matthew Rich; her brother, Robert Forbes; and her sister in law, Wanda Forbes. She is survived by her children, A.J. Rich (Virginia), Max Rich (Carol), Mary-Jane Rich (Scott), and Penny Rich; grandchildren, Derek Rich (Tiffany), John Cady, Stephanie Graham (Keith) and Farron Rich (Nate); and great-grandchildren, Kiera and Magnus Graham and Thomas Matthew DeAugistine.

The family would like to thank the staff on Unit 3 at Beechtree Care  Center for caring for Janice and treating her as family.

Family will receive friends on Monday, September 26, 2022 at Bangs Funeral Home, 209 W. Green Street, Ithaca, NY from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.  A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm at the funeral home with a burial to follow in Caroline Grove Cemetery, Brooktondale.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Janice’s memory can made donations to the Ithaca College Football Program.

Online condolences may be made to Janice’s family at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.

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