Janet R. Beckett

West Sand Lake- Janet R. Beckett, lovingly known as "Jan" to her family and friends, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Evergreen Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness. She was 91 years old.

Born on October 7, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jan was the daughter of the late Charles Emil Riedel and Alice Hollingsworth Riedel. Jan finally settled down in West Sand Lake after moving multiple times which included nine states and four countries/territories.

Jan received her CAC on January 8, 1987 and graduated from Skidmore College in November 1990 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, remaining a lifelong learner. Jan completed the NY Times crossword daily, loved puzzles and excelled in world history. She was employed at the Albany Citizen's Council on Alcoholism, the Honor Court and the Residential Programs and later at Next Step Women's Residence.

Jan was very active and athletic. She was a member of Normanside Country Club, winning the Women's Golf Championship in 1975. She was also a member of the Port Hawkesbury Curling Club in Nova Scotia, Canada; she enjoyed bowling and was an amazing artist.

She was known and preferred as "Jan," but was also known as Miss Matter of Fact, Mom and The Queen. Jan was kind, genuine, generous with her time and had a very dry sense of humor. Jan spoke her truth. She had the ability to see the 4th perspective when others couldn't. She was known to say "Well, you probably picked the wrong worry." which we had. She was wise beyond her years.

Above all, Jan cherished her family. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert W. Becket and the late William C. Flannigan. She was the devoted mother of Lisa A. Beckett (the late Glen S. Moir) of New Mexico, and David A. Beckett (Tracy Beckett) of South Carolina. Aunt of Denise Carrall Tomey of PA, Kirk H. Vyverberg of Oregon and Carolyn Jansen of CA. In addition to her husbands and parents, she was predeceased by her brother, William H. Riedel. Jan was childhood friends with Susan Harris Linton, Carol Adams, and Elizabeth Farr Smith; having attended their 72nd High School Reunion together in Haddonfield, NJ just last year. She was known and loved by her close, celebrated, and longtime friends, Jane Taggart and Gisele Errichett

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jan's family on Tuesday, June 23, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer, NY 12144. A memorial service will immeditaly follow at 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the PBS Foundation, 1225 South Clark Street, Arlington, VA 22202 in Jan's memory.