Janice B. Van Syckle

Janice (Bickford) Van Syckle, 76, formerly of Newtown, died July 30 in Chicago, Ill. Mrs Van Syckle was the wife of Guy W. Van Syckle, MD.

She was born in North Conway, N.H., the daughter of the late Clarence and Isabel (Smith) Bickford. Mrs Van Syckle was raised in Meriden. She was a graduate of St Margaret’s School in Waterbury, and LaSalle Junior College in Newton, Mass. She went on to study nursing at Hartford Hospital’s School of Nursing, where she enjoyed positions of increasing responsibility.

Following her marriage to Dr Van Syckle in 1953, Janice lived briefly in St Louis, Mo., before moving to Newtown in 1957. She maintained her love for nursing by volunteering in Newtown’s school health programs and local blood banks. She was an active member of the Visiting Nurse Association of Newtown where she served as president from 1988 to 1991.

She is survived by her husband, Guy W. Van Syckle, MD, of Southbury, and her four children, Guy W. Van Syckle, Jr, of Great Falls, Va., Peter B. Van Syckle of Summit, N.J., Janice L. Slaton of Brookfield, Wis., and Karen M. Smith of Chicago, Ill.; their spouses; and eight grandchildren.

Calling hours were scheduled for Thursday, August 5, from 7 to 9 pm, at the Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. A private graveside service will be held Friday, August 6, at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Newtown, 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470.

The Newtown Bee        August 6, 2004