VANCE, JANET ELDREDGE

VANCE, JANET ELDREDGE, 100, a daughter of the late Judge and Mrs. Henry Hand Eldredge II of Cape May passed away at Avalon Health Center at Stone Ridge in Mystic Connecticut on May 1st. She was formerly a resident of Academy Point at Mystic and was a long time resident of Cape May Court House, New Jersey. She was born in West Cape May, New Jersey on June 2, 1912 and was a descendant of the early settlers of Cape May County, of John Howland and John Tilley who were passengers on the Mayflower and also of 5 proven patriots of the American Revolution. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Silas Henry Vance, a sister Charlotte Bouton Kneipp and a brother, Henry Hand Eldredge, III. Mrs. Vance was a graduate of Cape May High School and received her B.A. degree in Latin and English from Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA. She pursued graduate courses at Glassboro (Rowan) State University. She taught Latin and English for over 25 years at Middle Township High School in Cape May Court House, was Chairman of the Language Department and Advisor to the National Honor Society. Mrs. Vance was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society of Women Educators. She served as President of the Cape May County Education Association and was a member of the Delegate Assembly of the N.J.E.A. She was also a member of the Retired Educators of Cape May County. She also served for many years as a member of the Board of Management of the Woodbine State Colony. She was an avid reader and a prolific letter writer to friends and family. She was a devoted member for over 75 years of the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church in Cape May, New Jersey and served the Church as an Elder and a member of the Session. For many years she was a Docent for the historical lecture program of the church, an activity she particularly enjoyed. For many years she led the Summer Vacation Bible School of the Church. Mrs. Vance was a long time member of the State of NJ Society of Mayflower Descendants and served the State Society as Elder. She was also a past Governor of the Jersey Cape Colony of Mayflower Descendants. Mrs. Vance was a member of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Cape May Patriots Chapter, a member of the Cultural and Heritage Commission of Cape May County for over 17 years and was a member of the Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society. Mrs. Vance also served as a charter member and first Treasurer of the Auxiliary of the Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital She is survived by her three children, Janet Vance Andrew and her husband Robert of Stamford, Connecticut, James Henry Vance and his wife Petra of Owings Mills, Maryland and Christopher Eldredge Vance of Miami, Florida, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren. A service of Remembrance and Resurrection will be held at the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 11th at 2:00 pm. There are no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are being planned by the Radzieta Funeral Home in Cape May Court House, NJ (www.radzieta.com). In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the 300th Anniversary Fund of the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church, 780 Seashore Road, Cape May, NJ 08204. Condolences at www.radzieta.com