Janet R. (Kowalski) Guenther

Janet R. (Kowalski) Guenther, 86, of the town of Sheridan died peacefully at home on Tuesday morning April 11, 2023. She was born Dec. 13, 1936 in Dunkirk, the daughter of the late Henry and Sophie (Mleczko) Kowalski. A lifelong area resident, Janet attended St. Mary’s Academy and was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, class of 1954. Janet had been employed at the Fredonia State Faculty Student Association as food service manager for 27 years, retiring in 1996. She was a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church and the Dom Polski Club. Janet was also a member of the Dunkirk Senior Center where she enjoyed traveling and taking bus excursions. She was an avid Buffalo Bills fan and loved to play golf. Survivors include one son, Tom (Cindy) Guenther of Forestville; one daughter, Sharon (John Czechowski) Guenther of Fredonia; two grandchildren, Thomas “TJ” (Andrea) Guenther and Kyle (Stewart) Melton; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John “Jack” Guenther, whom she married June 7, 1958 and who died Sept. 17, 1962; step father, Thaddeus Pachol; one brother, James Kowalski; and one sister, Bonnie English. Calling hours will be held Friday, April 14, from 4-7 p.m. at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 15, at 10 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, 20 W. Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY 14750.