Janet Alberta Velders Brandis passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19, 2013 at Ellis Hospital with her loving family by her side.
Janet was born in Passaic, NJ on May 22, 1930 to Albert Henry Velders, Jr. and Helen C. Bell Velders. They lived in Delawanna, NJ until 1938 when her father bought a farm in Quaker Springs, NY. She graduated
high school as salutatorian of her class in Schuylerville, NY. During this time she studied voice with Rome Fenton and his wife, Charlotte.
She sang at various functions in the area and was the soloist at her graduation baccalaureate.
In 1950 she graduated from NYS Inst of Technology in New York City, where she studied chemical technology. Mrs. Brandis was first employed in the laboratory at Chas Pfizer Pharmaceutical Co. in Brooklyn, N.Y.
where she worked on the development of the antibiotic, Terramycin.
Janet married Robert L. Brandis on August 19, 1950. The couple first lived in L.I., moving to Livingston, NY where they lived for 20 years.
In 1969 Mrs. Brandis graduated cum laude from New Paltz State College, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Pi. She received her master’s degree and permanent elementary certification in 1973. She was employed by the Red Hook Central School District for 5 years prior to moving to their home in Ephratah in 1974. The Brandises became known in the area for raising asparagus, strawberries and blueberries.
Mrs. Brandis did substitute teaching in the area prior to becoming employed by Central Association for the Blind in 1984 for whom she self-taught Braille and worked with visually impaired children in the area until she retired in 1993.
Mrs. Brandis is survived by her loving family; husband, Robert L. Brandis: son, Dr. Robert Allen Brandis and wife, Laura La Wall Brandis and their children, Carolyn and Jeffrey of Saratoga; daughter, Susan Brandis Turner and husband Ernest Turner and their children Lauren and Eric of Mayfield; son, James M. Brandis of Fonda and children, Stephen and Kristen who reside in North Carolina with their mother Deborah Davis Brandis; son, Scott L. Brandis and partner, Jason A. Jones of Athens, GA and one sister, Nancy Velders Smith of Quaker Springs, NY.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Avenue, Gloversville, NY 12078.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Barter & Donnan Funeral Home,
1 N. Melcher Street, Johnstown, NY 12095.
Condolences to the family may be made online by visiting our website at www.barterdonnan.com.
