Janet Clairssa Finney, age 80, long time resident of Drakes Mills, Cambridge Township, Crawford County, PA passed away on Sunday, December 26, 2010 at Rolling Fields Nursing Home in Conneautville. She had been at the home for the past 14 months and had previously been at Juniper Village, Meadville for 1 1/2 years. Born in Meadville, PA on April 9, 1930, Janet was a daughter of the Late Russell Shearer and Opal Gray Shearer.
She graduated from Cambridge Springs High School in 1948 where she played on the girl’s basketball team. On October 7, 1950 she married Jack Nelson Finney and he preceded her in death on January 15, 1983. Together they operated a well known dairy farm which later became a beef cattle farm.
Janet was gifted in the art of ceramics. She was a ceramic instructor for over 25 years at her business known as the “Country Cellar” located in Drakes Mills. The business became well known with over 80 students enrolled weekly. Over the years she garnered many awards recognizing her excellence. She served on the Erie-Crawford Ceramic Guild. She was a contributing author of several articles for Popular Ceramics magazine and Ceramic World magazine and was a recipient of the “Peggy Award” and “Judge’s Award” given by them.
Additionally, Janet established “Grandpa’s Gift Barn” at her home selling unique gifts. In 1959, she developed another well known business – “Finney’s Pumpkinville”. Customers came from near and throughout the Tri State area seeking to buy her high quality goods, especially sweet corn, pumpkins, and flowers. Pumpkinville became very popular among school children and they were bused from miles around to visit there at Halloween time. Janet became well known as the witch of Pumpkinville and Mother Goose. Over 48 years her business thrived and during that time she received numerous awards and blue ribbons from various Erie and Crawford County fairs for her work.
Janet had several other interests. She was a member of Meadvile YMCA and YWCA in Meadville and was actively engaged as a swimming and diving instructor and as a Red Cross lifesaving instructor. She taught locally and as far away as Zelienople. Janet was instrumental along with other citizens in opening the Jericho bridge after it had been closed for 11 years.
Janet was presently a member of the Cambridge Springs United Methodist Church and had been previous a member of the Millers Station United Methodist Church where she was active as Chairperson of their official Board and as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of the Rockdale Garden Club and a member of the Crawford County Convention and Tourism Association.
Over the years Janet received special awards of importance. She was a recipient of a Congressional Certificate of Recognition for Finney’s Pumpkinville in 2000 given by Gannon University and in 2001 the prestigious award for being one of Pennsylvania’s 50 Best Women in Business.
Surviving members of Janet’s family include two daughters – Cheryl Kent and her husband, Bill of Cambridge Springs and Jill Robbins and her husband, Dennis of Hendersonville, NC; two grandchildren – Brandon Kent and his wife, Megan of LaGrange, NC and Emily Schlosser and her husband, Ben of McKean; and a brother – Gene Shearer and his wife, Jeannie of Cambridge Springs.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home in Cambridge Springs on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 and are invited to attend funeral services there on Thursday at 11:00 am. Reverend Rod Beardsley, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Cambridge Springs will officiate. Interment will be in Venango Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association , 1128 State Street, Erie, PA. 16501.
Thinking of you, Cheryl and Jill, at this time. What a legacy your mother left! She, with the help of you two and your families, kept Cambridge Springs on the map for many, many years. She probably connected with more people than anyone in the history of the town, through her ceramics and pumpkins. (I remember taking two granddaughters through one of your Pumpkin Farm mazes: one sobbing, the other laughing in delight!) May she be enjoying herself making the rounds of the farmers and artists up in Heaven now!
I was so sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. She was such a kind and generous lady! I worked at the produce stand for two summers as a teenager and also took ceramics classes from her and of course visited the Pumpkinville numerous times. Janet was such a hard worker and balanced so many things so well! I admired that about her! She was such a great asset to the community of Cambridge Springs.
Cheryl, Jill and familys: we were so saddened to hear of your mom’s passing today. Your mom taught me (Pam) how to fire a kiln and most of what I know about glazes and ceramics came from my many visits to the ceramic shop and her patient answering of all my questions. I have fond memories of your mom and mine talking about china painting. Our children thrilled on their school and family outings to Pumpkinville and we stuffed ourselves until the season was done with the excellent sweet corn varieties your mother grew. Grandpa’s Gift Barn was another special place we liked to visit. It was always more than shopping but catching up with old friends. I miss her terribly, my family extends their deepest sympathy. Pam, Al, Zara and Peter
Dear Cheryl and Jill,
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s death. She was kind, generous, and a very hard working woman. I always enjoyed talking to her, and you could tell that you girls and her home were the center of her life. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
We are sorry to hear of Janets passing would like to be with you but we are unable to
come our prayers are with you we always enjoyed the times we were with her after moving to Wva. we couldn’t get to visit as we would have liked to. Thinking of you .
With love ,
Hobert and Nancy Hamilton And Mom Madeline Sarver
Like so many people, we have very fond memories of Janet. She will certainly be missed. Our thoughts are with her family.
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you Cheryl & Jill and all your family. I was one of Janet’s Ceramic students many years ago, When we go past the farm where she lived we think of the many times we stopped to buy produce, We always will remember how she decorated for Halloween and all the school students that enjoyed their day having fun at the farm.
Janet was a GREAT LADY and will be sadly missed.
With Heartfelt Sympathy!
My deepest sympathies to Jill, Cheryl, and the entire family. Ms. Finney gave me my first job when I was still in highschool and became a good friend and mentor. She had a great sense of humor and was such a wonderful person, she always had a twinkle in her eye and a story to tell. I know I can speak for all of her employees through the years when I say that she will be dearly missed.
To Jill, Cheryl, and family,
I didn’t know your mom really well, but the few times I was in her presence, she truly made me feel welcome in her home. She was a true lady full of hospitality, grace, and charm. I’m sure you all have many fond memories to cherish, and I know that you all have more than a little of her artistic talents and abilities! Surely she is proud of her family, their accomplishments, and abilities to always give more than they receive. Many condolences to all of you, as I know how difficult and draining the last few years may have been. We send our prayers to you all in this time of grieving. May your new year be blessed. Jeff & Allison Mattis, Lydia, & Luke
Jill, Cheryl and family:
Your mom was the sweetest lady and I have so many fond memories of going to Finney’s Pumpkinville as a child and for working in the corn maze all those years. You are all in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. Dan and I are very sorry to hear this sad news and Janet will be greatly missed! Love you all.
Amanda & Dan Chamberlain
Harry and I send our thoughts and love. Janet was always part of all the important occasions in my life, weddings, class reunions, etc and she was my kind friend from the first day of first grade at Drakes Mills School and on. We have many treasured memories of her. With sympathy, Bea & Harry Stuchell
Our sympathy to Jill, Cheryl and their families. Wonderful lady will be so missed by her friends and relatives. Gene, Janet’s brother, was a classmate of CSHS Class of “1953” and we send out our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Jill , Cheryl and families……you have my deepest sympathies. I’m sure you are going to miss your mother very much, as will the rest of the community. She was a wonderful lady and had contributed so much to the community. May she rest in peace. God Bless you all….Bonnie Allison
My thoughts and prayers are with you at your time of loss. Janet was an inspiration for alot of people, including my self. She will be greatly missed. Remember she is going to a better place, our home with Jesus. It, is difficult for us who are left behind to deal with the loss of a loved one, especially ones mother. May God be with you and grant you the stregnth to continue with your daily lives, and may he bless you to your highest and divine best.
Sincerely;
Lynnette
I was one of those 80 students of Janet’s, and oh what fun we had, Bob graduated with Janet, so have known her for 60 years and what a pleasure that was. As we are in Florida for the winter, we will not be able to come to calling hours, so we send our sympathy over the internet.
JoAnn and Bob Bidwell