Janice Kosco

Janice Helen (Woods) Kosco, peacefully passed away in the late evening of August 8, 2017 after a long and valiant fight against breast cancer.  Jan was born in Chicago in 1941 and loved the city.  But Erie eventually became her home with many dear friends.  A young Jan was introduced to ballroom dancing by her father, she became accomplished in the “Chicago style”, and was a much sought-after partner.  She met her future husband Jim in a dance studio in Chicago.  They later were accepted to take lessons with the North American Champions and World Champions in show dance.  She developed her own style in New Jersey.  She became accomplished in Bolero and Argentine tango- many just liked to watch her dance around the floor.  She and her husband eventually taught Argentine Tango where she encouraged others to develop their own style.

Jan was very passionate about eating healthy, organic foods and had a great deal of compassion for animals, supporting various organizations.  She loved the arts, from poetry to classical music, and was an avid reader.  Jan was very creative and most recently enjoyed making scrapbooks.  Gardening was also an active pastime, and she designed beautiful large gardens around her home.  

But the pride of her life was raising her twin daughters.  Since there were no local Montessori schools, she used books to learn the instructional methods and made all the teaching aids by hand to teach her daughters.  They were good readers at age 2 and had basic math skills before kindergarten.  She was very proud of them when they each earned a PhD degree in molecular biology from Cornell University. She taught them to be their own women.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen (Taylor) Woods and Howard Woods, and brothers David and Allen Woods.  She is survived by brother Don Woods, daughter Dr. Karena Kosco, her husband Dr. Michael Fitch, daughter Dr. Christine Brew, her husband Dr. Graham Brew, and her husband of 51 years, Dr. James Kosco. 

A celebration of her life will be held at Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street East, (Girard) on Sunday August 13, from 2 until 5 PM and will be immediately followed by a non-denominational service at 5 PM at the same location. 

Memorials in her name to the Orphan Angels cat sanctuary, 5439 West Lake Rd, Erie, PA 16505 are welcomed.  She loved kitties.