Janice Grippin Obituary

Janice M. (Searles) Grippin, age 88, of Wellsboro, PA, formerly of Syracuse, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Green Home in Wellsboro, PA. Born March 5, 1937, in Endicott, NY, she was the daughter of the late Clarence & Jessie (Cunning) Searles.

Janice graduated from Horseheads High School in 1955. She was a faithful Christian, talented seamstress, and a true friend. Janice took great pride in her work as a seamstress with Shapiros Formal Shop in Endicott, NY, retiring after 15 years of service. Sewing and crafting were not only her profession, but rather a life passion that she truly enjoyed, creating quilts for grandchildren, standing dolls, and simple sewing projects for family and friends. Janice’s family and her cat Kramer were the only things she cherished more than her craft, as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was very proud of her entire family and enjoyed gathering in Watkins Glen & Letchworth State Parks for family reunions. She also enjoyed puzzles, reading, and music theatre, making frequent trips to Lancaster, PA for Sight & Sound Theatre shows.

After she raised her children and helped them in the the early years of raising their families, Janice’s greatest display of strength and resilience came at the age of 70, when she moved to Syracuse after retirement from Shapiro's to start her own journey without other responsibilities. During that time, she began using her talents within her independent living complex. She began running coffee hour, BINGO, and taking residents to and from church services or shopping. Janice became a leader in her community and had many friends in her building.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Jamie Grippin, of Pittsburgh, Judy (Michael) Aukamp, of Herndon, VA, Jill Ronkko, of Baldwinsville, NY, and Julie (Rick) Kline, of Mansfield, PA; grandchildren, Joshua (Erann), Marcus, McKenna, Mike Jr (Addy), Jessica, Jake, Alexis and Allison; many great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law, Gary & Liz Searles, of Syracuse, NY; her favorite cat, Kramer; several nieces & nephews and many dear friends.

In addition to her parents, Janice was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, David & Jean Searles and nephew Glenn Searles.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from, 10 - 11 a.m., at Barber Funeral Home, 413 S Main St, Horseheads, NY 14845. Janice’s funeral service will immediately follow her viewing hour at 11:00 a.m., and she will be laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Elmira, NY. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Wilston-Currie Funeral Home, Mansfield, PA, www.wilstoncurriefh.com.