Obituary of Janet A. Buell

Janet Ames Buell, 92, of Poughkeepsie, NY…. was born December 23, 1931, in Oneonta, NY,
to the late Dorothy and Earl Ames. She lived in Oneonta until moving to Schoharie and then
settling in Poughkeepsie in 1963.
Janet was an elementary teacher and had her master’s degree in guidance, graduating from
SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Albany. She was very active in the PTA, serving a number of years
as the District Director. She was active with the Order of Eastern Star, Cub Scout Den leader
and was known as the emcee “Pockets” accompanying a traveling troop of actors who put on
plays at elementary schools. Being an avid writer, she wrote and directed a few plays as well as
created a poem each year for a Christmas letter. In addition to writing, she sang Alto in the
Pleasant Valley Presbyterian church choir and conducted the junior choir there for many years.
She possessed a quick wit and was ready to help when needed, was more at ease with a
hammer than a pan and loved dessert first (preferably a hot fudge sundae) followed by a chili
dog! Her alter ego was a funny dressed up color blind witch named “Drucilla”. Turtles were her
mascot, her motto was “slow and steady”. She could be found at yard sales or drinking coffee
at Stewart’s Ice Cream shop.
Janet is survived by her son Jim and daughter-in-law Sally, daughter Nancy, as well as three
grandchildren: Kara Buell, Daniel and Kailey Koopman. Janet was predeceased by her son-
in-law Nicholas Koopman, her brother Robert Ames and sister Margaret (Peggy) Many.
A celebration of life and reception will be held Saturday September 28, 2024, beginning at 11:00
am at the First Presbyterian Church of Pleasant Valley (Main Street, PV). Janet will be laid to
rest upstate in the Unadilla Forks cemetery at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, please make all donations to the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church (1576
Main Street Pleasant Valley, NY 12569).