Janice Ray (Shoffstahl) Himes

Janice Himes passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at the home of her son, Michael and his wife Francie, on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at the age of 88 after a long battle with dementia.  She was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania on January 11, 1936 to Harry Albert and Violet Georgie Bell Shoffstahl.   After graduating from Kersey High School in Kersey, Pennsylvania where she proudly played violin in the orchestra, she married Herbert Jacob Himes and had four children:  Sherry (Butch) Humphries of Lamar, SC; Michael (Francie) Himes of Lamar, SC; Melissa (Kenneth) Hughes, of Smithfield, NC; and Susan Himes of Stanfield, NC.  She had six grandchildren, Chuck Johnson of Lamar SC, Doug Johnson of Lamar, SC, Krystina Himes Powell of Lamar, SC, Jeff Fogle of Stanfield, NC, Jacob Hughes of Smithfield, NC and Gary Humphries of Pembroke Pines, Florida. She also had eleven great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Janice devoted her life to the raising of children.  She not only raised her own, but was nanny to three families and eventually a pre-school teacher in Matthews, NC.  She loved the domestic side of life.  Her home was always comfortable, clean and welcoming.  She loved canning applesauce and making homemade maple syrup.  She enjoyed cross-stitching and weaving pot holders.  She also loved to travel, especially to the mountains of North Carolina.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert, her  sister, Agnes DeCecchis, and a special cousin, Carol Boroi.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to her long-time caregiver during her illness, Carolyn Vaughn and her granddaughter Lily Vaughn.  Lily brought her a great deal of joy in her final months (as well as chocolate!)   An extra big heartfelt thank you also goes to Mike and Francie for the excellent care they provided during her final months.