Janice E. DeJager "Jan"

April 5, 2026.  Predeceased by her husband, R. John DeJager.  She is survived by her children, Jeanelle deJager-Paul (Tim), Joel (Mary) DeJager, Judi DeJager; grandchildren, Ethan, Alicia (Michael), Adam, Catherine, Isaac, Jenifer, Coral, Noah (Kiara), and Lydia; brother, Jim (Barb) Courtright; sister-in-law, Coreen (Jerry) VanDerWoude; brother-in-law, Paul (Karen) DeJager; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Born in North Hornell, Jan graduated from Horseheads Highschool and attended SUNY Geneseo where she intended to become a Librarian and travel the world. Like many women of her time, however, she met and fell in love with a man and got married instead of finishing her degree.  She turned her energy and attention to volunteering. She volunteered as a Librarian at Rochester Christian School, started the Children and Worship program at her former church, and served on various boards. She loved the color purple, was proud of her red hair and used it to account for her temper, hosted multiple tea parties for her grandchildren but never let them win in Dominoes.

Jan was an interesting and complicated woman, adept at making quick friends and putting people at ease. She enjoyed traveling whenever she could and despite visiting places as far away as Alaska and Australia never tired of Lake Ontario or the Erie Canal.

She cared deeply about helping others as they dealt with medical diagnoses, grief and trauma especially sharing that love through her work at the Chaplin's office at Genesee Hospital. After her husband passed away in 1994, Jan became involved in multiple grief support groups, serving as a group facilitator with New Directions. She was regularly involved with the Red Hat Society and the Rochester Regatta. A favorite quotation was, "It's amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit."

A Memorial Service will be held Monday, April 20th, 11 AM at Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave. Rochester, 14607. Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Asbury First UMC, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or The Trevor Project.

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