Obituary of Helen Jane Langlois

Helen Jane Langlois, age 84, of Clinton, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, October 23, 2014, in her home. Having lost "Ziggy", her husband of 60 years, just two months ago, she was unable to find the will to continue without him. Born September 16, 1930, in Wadsworth, OH to Anton and Margaret (Sega) Pecnik, she was known as Helen, but upon entering school, there were many Helens in her class so she began to be known to friends as Jane. Jane was a 1948 graduate of Wadsworth High School and a 1952 graduate of Heidelberg College in Tiffin, OH. As a college student, Jane worked as a waitress during school breaks in Lake Placid, NY, where she met her beloved husband. She moved to Clinton after graduation and they were married on October 16, 1954, the day after Hurricane Hazel, in a candlelight service at St. Mary's Church in Clinton. Jane began her career as a secretary at General Electric in Utica, but after the birth of her daughter, pursued a teaching career. She began as a first grade teacher at Potter School in Utica and continued her education, earning a Masters Degree from Syracuse University. Afterward, she held various positions within the Utica School district, including Vice Principal of Kernan School and Principal of Albany Street and Washington Schools, and retiring as Principal of Wetmore School. Jane also was a member and later President of Utica's chapter of Zonta International, an organization that advances the status of women worldwide. Prior to and after retirement, she and "Ziggy" spent their summers gardening, canning, and freezing their bounty - family and friends reaping the benefit of their hard work and generosity. For many years in the 1990's, they explored the United States as they drove cross-country to spend part of their winters with their daughter and her family in Arizona. In addition, they both stayed fit and socialized regularly at the Fitness Mill in New York Mills until recently. Besides her parents and husband, Jane was predeceased by her sisters, Mary Boos, Margaret Wheeler, and Frances Smith; her brother, Anthony Pecnik, and her son-in-law, John Hallstrom. She is survived by her two children: Elaine Hallstrom of Gilbert, AZ, and Philip Langlois of Baldwinsville, NY; eight grandchildren: Jenifer Rittenhouse, Justin Rittenhouse, James Rittenhouse, and Jessica Rittenhouse, all of Arizona; Alexis Langlois, Arien Langlois, Elijah Langlois, and Eve Langlois all residing in Upstate New York; as well as eight great grandchildren, several nephews and nieces. Services will be held Thursday October 30 at 10am at St Thomas Parish, 150 Clinton Road, New Hartford. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. All are invited to call Wednesday from 5-7 pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, Inc., 35 College St., Clinton. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601, in Jane's memory. Donations can also be made online at: http://www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp