Obituary of Janice L Brynilsen
Janice L. Brynilsen
1942 - 2024
Janice (Beck) Brynilsen, born January 10, 1942, in Buffalo N.Y., passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024, at 82 years of age. Her 25 years of teaching at Turin Road School (and previously in Rochester, N.Y.) will long be remembered by the students whose lives she impacted over the years. Talented musically, she also accompanied her husband Rolf on the piano and played English hand bells at the First Presbyterian Church in Rome. Rolf passed away in January of 2018. Janice also lost her sister Judy Gerstung in 2015.
She graduated from Kent State University in Ohio and met her husband Rolf while she was a camp counselor across the lake from his family’s resort, Viking Village, on 4th Lake near Old Forge, in the Adirondack’s. They eventually went on to work together, running the resort, entertaining guests for over 50 years, with three generations of Brynilsen’s. Viking Village is still thriving under new ownership. Viking Village brought them many years of joy and Jan wrote a book about the history of their 100-year-old hotel called “Third Story View”. The title referenced the 25 years they lived on the third floor looking over 4th Lake which was her “happy place”. After retiring from teaching, Jan opened “Homestead Antiques” in their old farmhouse on Turin Rd. This shop complemented Rolf’s successful Christmas tree business that he ran for many years. She collected various antiques over the years and had several special “collections” that she enjoyed.
She was active throughout her life and was involved in many organizations, including the Red Hat Society (she was always ready for a party), the ladies bowling league, and was active in Zonta, Aerobics, Zumba, and several other activities. She especially loved volunteering at the Rome Hospital snack bar (She logged over 1,000 hours there.) She loved being active outdoors and enjoyed cross country skiing, fishing and riding their pontoon boat on 4th Lake, riding her bike in Rome and moped in Old Forge. She was still slalom water skiing at 65 years of age and loved kayaking and gardening. If you did not find her outside, you would often find her in the kitchen as she was also known for being a great cook. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church, she also organized and participated at St. Olaf Chapel near Inlet, N.Y. She thrived at entertaining and tried to make everyone feel “at home”. Janice remained active until a stroke left her partially disabled and in need of home care.
She leaves behind a nephew, Scott Gerstung of New York, as well as several other nieces, nephews, and cousins in California, Maryland, and Maine. Her greatest joy was travelling (especially bus trips in her later years) and getting to know people who she often wrote about. Her greatest gift was being the organizer and planning many different adventures.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Janice’s caregivers, the Rome and Lake Delta Fire Departments, and the staff of the Rome Hospital emergency department.
In Lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society of Rome Inc., PO Box 4572, Rome, N.Y. 13442-4572, Lucy’s House (through Zonta), the First Presbyterian Bell Choir, or St. Olaf’s Chapel, 2487 South Shore Rd., Inlet, N.Y. c/o Cliff Fike, 1019 W. Dominick St., Rome, N.Y. 13440.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 17, 2024, at 2:00 p,m. at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home, 7751 Merrick Rd. Rome, N.Y. 13440. There are no calling hours. Burial will take place in Evergreen Cemetery, Lee Center.