Obituary of Janice Brooks Veno
Janice Brooks Veno
Olean, NY Janice Brooks Veno, 74, of Olean died Thursday (February 7, 2019).
Janice was born in Olean on October 9, 1944 and was the daughter of the late James and Josephine (Ball) Brooks. She was born while her father was serving in the U.S. Air Force in Europe during World War II. She attended School #5 in Boardmanville and was a 1962 graduate of Olean High School. She then continued her studies at SUNY Geneseo in elementary education.
Janice is survived by her daughter Michele (John) Wagner of Syracuse; sons Matthew of Olean and Marcus (Marcy) of Rochester; brothers Mark Brooks of Mamaroneck and Daniel Brooks (Douglas Perlman) of Paris, France and sister Mary Jo Brooks of Johnson City; grandchildren, Emily, William, Quinton, Anthony, and Trevor Veno, and Zachary and Nathan Wagner; other family members include David (Joyce) Veno of Weston Mills, Carl (Sharon) Veno of Olean, Salvatore Veno of Olean as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.
She was predeceased by her son Michael (Dena) of Indianapolis, IN in 2016, and sister-in-law Kathleen (Wilbur) Frost of Allegany.
Janice was a lifelong resident of Olean with strong ties to the area, as a descendent of Cornelius Brooks, a Revolutionary War soldier, who was one of Olean’s first settlers. In her youth, Janice worked summers as a playground director for the City of Olean, sharing her gifts of energy and enthusiasm for all types of sports and activities. She was also a lifetime, faith-filled parishioner of St. John’s Catholic Church where she volunteered as a Eucharist minister and, for a time, scheduler of Altar boys. She also served on the board of the Pleasant Valley Cemetery Association from 1999 to 2011.
After spending several years solely focused on raising her family, Janice began her working career at Hoelschlers Inc. Office Supply on Union Street. In 1980, she joined the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, Olean branch, as a clerk. She was promoted throughout her career and eventually became the Supervisor of the Olean DMV branch. She retired in 2007. Throughout the years, Janice created and maintained lasting friendships with her co-workers, which is a testament to the caring nature and calming manner she brought to every relationship.
Janice’s energy and enthusiasm shone most brightly as she raised her family. She was wholeheartedly involved with her children’s many activities. Whether it was going to countless baseball games played across New York State, attending many dance recitals in Olean, or serving as Den Mother to Cub Scout Pack 631, Janice was always there to cheer on and support her beloved children, as well as their friends and teammates. As her seven grandchildren came in to the world, one after another, Janice’s already oversized heart became even bigger.
Janice was a breast cancer survivor who continued to live a full life as a bike enthusiast, as a mother, and perhaps in her favorite role, as “Grandma Jan.” In 2006, she had another health challenge. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which she faced head-on with her usual courage and grace.
Friends will be received on Friday from 5-8pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A prayer service will be held Saturday (February 16, 2019) at 9:15am in the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10am in St. John's Church, 931 N. Union St., Olean. Rev. David Tourville will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Olean.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the WNY Parkinson Foundation 2805 Wehrle Drive, Suite 12, Williamsville, NY 14221 (www.parkinson.org/westernnewyork); or Carroll Anstaett Olean Little League Fund 301 North Union Street Olean, NY 14760 (www.cattfoundation.org/Carroll Anstaett Olean Little League Fund). Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.
