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Janice Sackett Williams

By Ronald Konieczny

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Much beloved Sister, Aunt, Teacher, Coach, Mentor, and Friend, Janice Sackett Williams, born in Riga, New York, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 27, 2015, at the age of 89.

Janice graduated from Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA, and went on to teach physical education and coach women’s field hockey for over 45 years, the predominance of which were spent at Akron Central School, Akron, NY.  She still holds a record as one of the most “winning” coaches in women’s high school field hockey in the state of New York.  More importantly, she was ahead of her time in teaching young women that they were not second class citizens to young men, and impressing upon her corner of the world that she expected her female students and athletes to be treated equally with the male students and athletes.  After her retirement, she spent time with her friends and family, travelled the world, and enjoyed her life to the fullest.  She will be greatly missed, was one of a kind, a force to be reckoned with, and loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John Lemuel and Florence Wells Sackett, her husband, Merle F. Williams, and her nephew John L. (Rose) Sackett, III.

Janice is survived by her three siblings, Jane S. Uhle, Joan S. (Ralph) Spaulding and John L. (Jean) Sackett, Jr., her two nieces, Deborah S. (Jay) Miller and Alexandra Spaulding, a nephew, Charles (Amy) Sackett , several grand-nieces and nephews, and many, many dear friends.

A  Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at the Akron Masonic Lodge, 63 John Street, Akron, N.Y., from 3-6pm, with a Tribute to Janice beginning at 4pm. 

In lieu of flowers, donations to the U.S. Field Hockey Association, Lock Haven University, The Heifer Project, The Community School of South Tamworth, N.H., your local Humane Society or the charity of your choice would be appropriate. Expressions of condolence may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD MCANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 32 JOHN ST., AKRON, NY 14001. RONALD KONIECZNY II, DIRECTOR & PROPRIETOR.

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