Janet Smith Berens

Janet Smith Berens, 95, of Clarks Summit, died Monday in Pittsford, N.Y. She was a loving and devoted wife to A. James Berens, who died in 2003. They had been married for 58 years.

Born Dec. 10, 1922, in Scranton, Janet was the daughter of the late Gustave Frederick and Jesse Luce Smith and sister to the late Frederick Smith. She grew up on Webster Avenue in Scranton, where she graduated from high school. She attended Keystone Junior College and Syracuse University, where she met her husband, Jim. They were married Sept. 30, 1944, just before his deployment as a naval officer to the Pacific during World War II.

After the war, Janet and Jim settled in Clarks Summit on Gravel Pond Road, where they lived together their entire lives. Here they raised their three children, Judith B. Miller and husband, Richard, of Pittsford, N.Y.; John R. Berens and wife, Linda Keeler, of Toms River, N.J.; and James R. Berens and wife, Christine Gregory, of Clarksville, Md. Their children, 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren became the focal point of their lives. Janet and Jim were inseparable.

Janet was a consummate homemaker and hostess. Her home and, in particular, her cozy little screened-in-porch, was a honey pot for friends, neighbors, kids and animals. All were graciously and equally welcome, including a couple of special longer term guests she adopted as part of the family: Mike Getz and "Jazzbo" Decker.

Janet was the definition of a "lady," always perfectly dressed, prim, proper, gracious and witty. But not too far below the surface, she was independent, tough and feisty when appropriate. She was always very active, enjoying golf at Scranton Country Club, cards, bowling and volunteering at the church. She had many friends, but her lifelong buddies were Dottie Lynn and Kathryn Matthews, and they were inseparable, particularly in their later years.

The funeral will be held Friday at 1 p.m. in Church of The Epiphany in Glenburn, 25 Church Hill, Dalton, with services by the Rev. Lou Divis. The service will be followed by a reception at the Scranton Country Club. Graveside service will be held at noon on Saturday.

There will be no public viewing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Church of the Epiphany.

Arrangements by Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home.