Janice Goth Helmer, 91, a lifelong area resident died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 11, 2021, with her family by her side. Born May 20, 1930, in Poughkeepsie, she was the daughter of George and Hattie Mae Jones Goth. She was a 1947 graduate of F.D. Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park. As a young woman, Jan worked as a telephone operator for the former NY Telephone Company. During her working years, she spent time waitressing at the former Kitchen in Hyde Park and Foster's Coach House in Rhinebeck.  Her most important job (other than raising a family) was that of "Chief Caterer", along with her sister, Happy Kearney, at HAMA JOGO, the family's maple syrup camp in Round Top, NY. For thirty years, six days a week, weather permitting, Jan and her husband Jack could be found walking the grounds at the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, where they made many new friends. Jan had a passion for making braided rugs. As featured in the Poughkeepsie Journal, she produced hundreds of them out of a variety of materials from cotton to wool to polyester. Jan spent her summers canning fruits and vegetables and making jams and sauces that she gladly shared with family and friends. She spent time sewing for whoever had a need and was famous for her homemade pies enjoyed by thousands. These were not just hobbies they were a real labor of love. She believed in not wasting anything, especially time. On September 10, 1950, at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel on the grounds of the Hudson River State Hospital, she married her high school sweetheart, John W. Helmer, who survives at home. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two daughters, Gail O'Neil, husband Bill, of Poughkeepsie, and Jacquelyn Valenta, husband Bill, of Tucson, AZ; two sons, David Helmer, wife Alison, of Hyde Park, and Thomas Helmer, wife Chris, of Round Rock, Texas; and eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren (the loves of her life). She is also survived by her brother, Frank Goth, of Connecticut, sister-in -law, Joan Sclafani, of Hilton Head Island, SC, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents, four brothers and three sisters. There will be no calling hours but, a Celebration of her Life will take place at 11 AM, Friday, July 16th at the Community Mausoleum Chapel at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, 342 South Ave., Poughkeepsie. Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet's Funeral Home, Inc., Rte. 9, Hyde Park. To send an online condolence, livestream the service, or for directions, please visit her obituary page on www.sweetsfuneralhome.com .