Janice H. Costello

GILBERTSVILLE - Janice Hoyt Costello died at home peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sept. 16, 2022, following her third battle with cancer, metastatic melanoma to the liver.
Jan Marie Hoyt was born on March 9, 1955, the third child of Bob and Ruth Hoyt of Maple Grove, Morris.
She graduated from Gilbertsville Central School in 1973, and from Hartwick College with a bachelor's degree in English in 1977. She later earned her master's degree in adolescent education from SUNY Albany.
Jan began her teaching career in Gilbertsville before taking a long hiatus to raise her children. She eventually returned to the classroom, teaching high school English at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School. She retired in 2017.
Jan was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville for most of her life. Most recently she was an elder and Clerk of Session. At various times she taught Sunday school and Bible school, sang in the choir, served as an officer of the women's group, published the newsletter, and was a member of more than one pastoral search committee. When she moved to Rutland, Massachusetts, she and her family joined the First Presbyterian Church of Worcester.
Jan cherished her family and friends, her church, and her community. A few years ago she established a Little Library in honor of her mother's love for books. She also enjoyed a close relationship with many of her students and loved being a mentor and role model; a teacher in and outside of the classroom.
In her free time she enjoyed craft and sewing projects, collecting and decorating, books, lunch with friends, wandering in nature, and watching the sky. In recent years digital photography was a passion that led to the creation of calendars, books, and cards. She was a prolific writer and excelled at poetry. She took pride in helping to bring Poetry Out Loud to GMU.
Jan is survived by her precious children and grandchildren, Casey (Laura), Ash, and Iris of Worcester, Massachusetts, Whitney Costello of Albany; as well as her beloved partner of more than 26 years, Bill Musson.
Her precious son, Tyler, predeceased her in 2008. She was also predeceased by her parents, and brother, Kent Hoyt.
Other survivors include her sister and husband, Helen and Jim Groff; and sister-in-law, Sue Hoyt. Also surviving are Aunt Arlyn Wade and close cousins, George (Linda) Wade and children, Jennifer, Erin, and Vanessa, and Chuck (Lynn) Wade and son, Clayton, and Aunt Irene Johnson. Nieces and nephews include Sandy (Andy) Meyers and children, Andrew, Kyle, and Nicole; Kent (Amanda) Hoyt Jr. and son, Dakoda; Heather (Jason) and children, Bronson, Cameron, and Annika; Dillon (Amanda) and children, Carter, Tyler, and Ryan; Laura (John) and children, Mackenzie and Joseph; Kelly (Anthony) and daughter, Zeta; Katie (Jeremy) Lesniak, and children, Will and Hayes; Gillian (Basile) Costello; Chase Patten; and Sarah (Nick) Wilder and daughter Norah. Other close family includes Keith and Ellen Costello and Janice and Don Patten. In addition, she treasured many dear cousins and friends too numerous to mention.
Friends and family will gather and honor Jan at calling hours from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 23, and memorial services at 11 a.m., Sept. 24, at the First Presbyterian Church in Gilbertsville. Donations, if desired, may be made to the Tyler Costello Memorial Music Fund at GMUCSD, 693 State Hwy 51, Gilbertsville, NY (include line on memo); or First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 134, Gilbertsville, NY, 13776.
Her family has entrusted her care to the Johnston & Stanimer Funeral Home in Morris.
To leave an online message of sympathy and to view her tribute video visit www.johnstonfh.com.