Janet B. Cornell

Janet Burch Cornell, age 87, entered into eternal life Friday, September 11, 2026 after a brief illness.  Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late James C.W. Burch and Eva DeMott Burch.  

Jan's passion for French and  English studies, love of birds, and fondness of the outdoors can be attributed to her earlier years when she attended the former St. Agnes School in Albany.  She later went on to graduate from St. Lawrence University, Class of 1960.  

Jan met her future husband, Roy James "Jim" Cornell at a Protestant Young Adult (PYA) meeting.  Jim and Jan got engaged on Valentine's Day in 1962 and were married June 23, 1962.  

Jan taught middle and high school French for 21 years retiring in 1996.  She taught at East Greenbush Central Schools and Doane Stuart School.  She continued to teach French in after school programs to children in grades 2-5 in the Bethlehem School District and also in various schools throughout the Capital District.  Jan never lost her passion for teaching French or working with children.  

In her retirement, Jan also held various part-time office jobs including working in the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at the Empire State Plaza and as a bookkeeper for Brooks-Byer Associates.

Jan, alongside her husband Jim, enjoyed biking on trails, walking, roller-skating, tennis, cross country skiing, cooking, visiting historical sites, bird watching and a good book.  The family went on many fun vacations and Jan always made holidays and Tim's childhood birthdays really special.

She is survived by her loving son, Tim Cornell and her devoted friends, Betsy Thomas, Erika Somer, Cynthia Morse, and Susan and John Maxwell.  She is also survived by several cousins and the family's loving kitty, Noire.  In addition to her parents, Jan is predeceased by her beloved husband of 64 years, Roy James "Jim" Cornell in 2022 and their daughter Karen in 1977.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Friday, September 18, 2026 at the Delmar Reformed Church, 386 Delaware Ave. Delmar.  Visitors will be received at the church 11:00am  to 12:00pm Friday before the service.  

Interment will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, Delmar.

in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Kitten Angels, www.kittenangels.org or to  The Regional Food Bank, www.regionalfoodbank.net