Obituary of Jean L. Germano

8/22/1954 to 9/30/2016 We've lost our Jeannie. For so many years, she has lit up our lives. Breast cancer was no match for her. Jeannie battled ovarian cancer ferociously these last 6 ½ years. It overcame her Friday night. Along the way, so many supporters. There were the "girls just wanna have fun" crews in all different parts of her life; the Van Cott ladies, the real estate folk, the County ladies. Most close were Peggy, Jo and Mo. Our families were so strong for us. Daughter Marie and son-in-law Chad Payne with grandchildren Brody and Miles. Son Matthew Germano and his girlfriend Ashley Stauber. Son Christopher Germano and his girlfriend Kelly Waters. Sister-in-law Christine Germano, daughters Dana Germano (and boyfriend Chris) and Carla and husband Mark Ettore. Sister Robyn and husband Jesse Richardson, living in Montana. Lifelong friends Carlton and Beth Small. So many Alfred friends. And of course, Riley kept up the home front. "Why be dull?" Jeannie often said. So much family, so many friends, so many years. Waiting for her are her mother Shirley and Lawrence Higgins, father Howard Kovakka, grandparents Louise and Jack Nagle, Grandma Jesse Wright. Also waiting are brother-in-law Peter Germano, mother and father-in-law Annette and Ernest Germano. Please take kind care of our Jeannie until we join her there. Jeannie grew up and lived in southern California. She made strong friends with Joyce and Bill Keefe, a friendship that she kept to this day. She came to Elmira with Ernie Germano. We married in 1980 and raised our family in Pine City. Jeannie worked at Southern Tier Health Care Management, managed the Arnot Mall Van Cott Jewelry store for 8 years, and sold real estate for 8 years. Jeannie then joined County employment at the Town of Southport Village Office, the County Clerk's office and the Chemung County Nursing Facility. Jeannie was active in Habitat for Humanity for many years. Wherever she worked, she focused on the "helping people" part of the job and found gratitude in return each time. We have so much gratitude to those professionals who helped us with Jeannie's battle. The staff at the Falck Cancer Center have been great every step. The 5500 wing of the Rochester General Hospital was outstanding. Dr. Eugene Toy, our cancer guru, in Rochester has been the single, greatest gift of our journey and the reason Jeannie could battle her cancer over such a long time. Many thanks to Dr. Alexander Rupik here in Elmira for sustaining us and being so responsive to Jeannie's changing needs. We are grateful that we had 6 ½ years of a successful battle. In that time, there were countless blessings of family and friends that we could experience together. We chose happiness over misery (either way the effort is the same, it is said). Services are scheduled this coming Friday, October 7, 2016, evening at McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, from 5-8 PM. There is a Mass of Christian Burial scheduled at 12:00 noon, Saturday, October 8, 2016, at St. Patrick's. All are welcome. Many thanks to Kevin McInerny who helped us with Larry Higgins, Annette Germano and now Jeannie. In lieu of flowers, you may choose to offer donations to the American Cancer Society, Falck Cancer Center in Elmira, the 5500 Floor of Rochester General Hospital or Doctors Without Borders.