Obituary of Elsie Janis Pearson

Pearson, Elsie Janis BERNE – Elsie Janis Willsey Pearson, 92, passed away on Saturday, November 24, 2018 at the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center in Albany. Born in Albany on August 7, 1926, she was a daughter of the late Archie and Ella Warner Willsey. Janis was raised in Berne and graduated from Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School. She worked for several years as a kitchen worker at BKW, and then served for many years as a baker at Bryant's Market in the original South Westerlo location, and continuing in the new Greenville store, retiring at age 70. Janis was formerly a member of the United Methodist Church of Greenville & Norton Hill, where she was a member of UMW and volunteered in the Elliott House Thrift Shop. In later years, she became a member of Helderberg Lutheran Church in Berne. Janis was a life member of the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Company. Janis is survived by her brother-in-law, Philip (Laura Lee) Pearson; nieces and nephews, Philip Jr. (Daphane) Pearson and their children, Jessica and Taylor; Laurie (Marc) Nickford and their children, Alison and Sarah; Beth Pearson (James Wallace) and her children, Alex and Hannah; Christopher (Ashlie) Pearson and his children, Kameron, Victoria, and Elizabeth; and Timothy Stadler. In addition to her parents, Janis was predeceased by her husband, Everett A. Pearson on March 3, 2005; and her brother, Morris Willsey. The family expresses special thanks to Jay and Shanna Becker and their children, Aurora, Benjamin, and Lucas, and to Maver and Maryann Becker, for the friendship and care they gave to Janis. Calling hours will be Tuesday, November 27th from 5 to 7 p.m. at A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 State Route 81, Greenville. The funeral will be Wednesday, November 28th at 11 a.m. in Helderberg Lutheran Church, 1728 Helderberg Trail, Berne. Burial in Medusa Cemetery will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Daughters of Sarah Nursing Center, 180 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203, or the Helderberg Ambulance Squad, 978 Cole Hill Road, East Berne, NY 12059 will be appreciated. Condolences may be expressed at ajcunninghamfh.com.