Janet Symes

Janet Burnett Symes, age 87, passed away in the early morning of May 2, 2020 at Ashtabula County Medical Center.

She was born on July 28th, 1932 in Oswego, New York to Cornelius and Helen (Brown) Holleran. Janet graduated High School in Oswego and then received her Master’s Degree in Education from the State University of New York in Oswego.

She married Stephen Jon Mark Tannish Jr. and had two children while living in upstate New York. The family moved to Ashtabula in the early 1960’s and had two more children. Janet taught at Ashtabula West and North Kingsville Elementary Schools for a period of 36 years.

Janet later married Richard E. Symes of Ashtabula, Ohio on January 19, 1972; her loving and devoted husband of 48 years who loved Janet's children as his own.

Throughout her adult life Janet had a passion for collecting and selling antiques. She followed her passion and opened the Shore Bird Antique Store. She was an avid Jeopardy viewer, a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Ashtabula Harbor Historical Society. Janet’s community involvement included bringing the Sloop Providence to Ashtabula in the early 1980’s.  Her fondest memory was being part of the Providence’s crew.  Janet was a people person with a heart of gold, she got along with everyone, there wasn’t a stranger she didn’t know. Janet’s greatest joy came from being a grandmother.

She is survived by her husband Richard E. Symes and children: Neil (Colleen) of Arvada, Colorado; Jamie (Rick) of Cleveland, Ohio; Sean (Karen) of Ashtabula, Ohio and Stephen (Amy) Tannish of Chesterton, Indiana.

She leaves behind eight grandchildren: Patrick, Michael (Crystal) and Quinn Tannish of Arvada, Colorado; Sophia and Lydia Tannish of Ashtabula, Ohio; Joseph, Aliza and Jon Tannish of Chesterton, Indiana.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents and first husband.

Burial will be in Oswego, New York next to her parents following her cremation. A celebration of life will be held in Ashtabula on a later date when large gatherings may be held again. At her request a public service will not be held.

The family would like to thank the Ashtabula County Medical Center staff in the ICU & 2 South along with and the staff at the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Contributions can be made to the Ashtabula Humane Society

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