Janis Ann Gerstenberg

The patriotic Janis Ann Gerstenberg passed away peacefully and surrounded by family at her home in Monrovia, California on Memorial Day, May 25, 2020 at age 87 ½. She was born October 1, 1932, at the Women's Hospital in Pasadena to Irene (Briley) and James Silverthorn, a retired corporal in the US Marine Corps.
She graduated High School in 1950 from Pasadena City College, and started her career at age 17 as a messenger for Union National Bank, Pasadena, where she worked her way up to the commercial and note department. She left to marry in 1959, and later joined Second National Bank in Northeast Philadelphia. After raising her children, she returned to banking and took a position as a teller at Marine Midland Bank in Centerport, New York, until relocating back to California.
Janis met her husband George (known to family and friends as Jim) on a blind date on New Year's Eve in 1957, arranged by their mothers in the era before internet dating. They were married on May 2, 1959 at St. Rita Catholic Church in Sierra Madre, California and took a three-week honeymoon to travel across the country to explore, tour national parks and visit presidential libraries, ultimately ending the trip in Philadelphia, where Jim had been transferred. Janis always said that Jim took her on the adventure of her life when they got married, and they were fortunate to have been able to celebrate 61 loving years together.
Janis took great joy and pride in being a mother and a home-maker, first in Holland, Pennsylvania and then later in Centerport, New York. Janis is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Susan, son-in-law Paul, and nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her son Christopher, and her sister Joye (David) Fritz. She will be missed by many close family friends.
Janis loved people. She had an energetic spirit and vivacious character, and never met a stranger. She was loving, friendly and always ready to share a story. She could spend hours entertaining friends with her experiences and adventures. She was a devout Catholic and taught religious education for many years, including her daughter Susan's confirmation class. All her students would eagerly attend each week, knowing that they would be welcomed with a homemade brownie and cold glass of milk.
Janis was active in local politics, organizations and community clubs, including the Monrovia Garden Club and the Monrovia Old House Preservation Group. She eagerly celebrated every holiday to the fullest, making sure to dress in the appropriate holiday outfit and to prepare a special holiday meal to commemorate the occasion. She especially liked patriotic holidays -- notably the Fourth of July -- when she could be counted on to be dressed head-to-toe in red, white, and blue, proudly march with a flag, and sing patriotic songs. She loved to host friends and family for get-togethers and serve her homemade specialties.
She will be interned at Live Oak Memorial Park in Monrovia, California. A celebration of life will be held at a later date when gathering restrictions are relaxed.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Rita Catholic Church, Sierra Madre, CA.
Arrangements are under the direction of Douglass & Zook Funeral and Cremation Services, Monrovia, California.