Janis Lynn (Featherstone) Williams passed away on May 17, 2026, at the age of 81.

Raised in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Janis was the first in her family to graduate from college, an achievement that reflected her determination and self-reliance. As a young woman, she traveled solo throughout Europe and South America, embracing the world with courage and curiosity. She also spent several winters in Aspen, Colorado, where she skied whenever she could and developed a lifelong love for the mountains, always hoping to return. That spirit of adventure and independence became a defining part of who she was and inspired others.

After college, Janis began teaching science, a role she embraced with enthusiasm and purpose. She described her goal as having “high aspirations of awakening my students to the phenomena and magnificence of nature.” After the birth of her third child, she shifted her focus to raising her family while she also helped manage her husband’s family produce business from home. She later joined Xerox as an executive assistant and engineering analyst, where she worked until her retirement in 2010.

Janis was a devoted wife and loving mother who filled her home with warmth, imagination and joy. She taught her children to appreciate nature and nurtured their creativity through play and exploration. In her home, chores became games, games became lessons and discipline was gentle. She created a childhood rooted in love, curiosity, learning and laughter.

Janis was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 18 years ago. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define her, she chose to live fully and courageously. After more than three decades in Webster, New York, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of building a home in Durango, Colorado, where she retired and embraced an active life of biking, skiing and hiking. In 2020, she returned to Western New York to be closer to her grandchildren, where she remained active walking her dog, tending her gardens, and working on projects around the house. Her resilience left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Janis is survived by her loving children, Andrea (Euan) Robertson, Jessica Saunders, and Scott (Krystle) Williams; her cherished grandchildren, Clara, Callum, Vivian, Hunter, Emmett, Garrett, and Ethan; and her siblings, Bruce (Judy) Featherstone, Beverly Erickson, and Joyce (Don) Huml, as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Leigh Williams; her son-in-law, Josh Saunders; her brother-in-law, John Erickson; and her parents, Herbert and Ester (Kringle) Featherstone.

In accordance with Janis’s wishes, no traditional funeral services will be held. A celebration of her life will be held at her home on June 27th from 1:00-6:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to WXXI Public Broadcasting Council public radio, a station Janis loved and listened to every day. Support - WXXI