Janet Betty Kuhns

Janet Betty (Milks)Kuhns, 85, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by the love of her family on March 28, 2026. She courageously battled many challenging health conditions for years involving severe chronic pain with her back and joints, heart and GI systems. Janet was a true fighter and demonstrated resiliency, kindness and positivity throughout her health journey.

Janet is now reunited with her loving husband in heaven, Rev. Gary R. Kuhns,who passed away in 2001. She is predeceased by her parents, Betty Stover (Milks) and Clifford Milks, her brother Steve Milks and sister-in-law Lois Milks, brother Chib Milks and sister-in-law Judy Milks and Janet’s sister-in-law Gloria Milks and nephew Bill Milks. Janet is survived by one sibling, Ed Milks and his daughter Marianne Milks and her children and grandchildren; and Bill’s wife, Harriet Dinegar Milks and their two children and Janet’s sister-in-law on her husband’s side, Donna Kuhns, and her children and grandchildren.

Janet has two children, Jay Kuhns (Erin Kuhns) and Julie K Kuhns (David Moulton), grandchildren, Audrey Kuhns Conyers (Mitch Conyers) Jeffrey Kuhns, Gary Kuhns, Olivia Kuhns; and Melissa Moulton (Shaun Rannals).

Janet has three great grandchildren, Emma Conyers, Oakland Rannals and Reese Rannals. Janet is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews on both sides of the family, and all hold a special place in her heart. She loved her family deeply and created lasting memories with her delicious homemade dinners, pies and cookies and had a beautifully decorated home filled with love where all were welcomed.

Janet was born and raised in Owego, New York. Her passion for animals began at a young age watching her father care for the many animals in his veterinary practice. She was an active student and involved with music and sports playing the clarinet, oboe and piano and cheerleading. Janet graduated from Owego Free Academy (1958) and served as Vice President of her class. She later learned the organ which was a passion throughout her life. Janet attended and graduated from Wilson College in 1962. She completed her Master of Counseling and graduated with her master’s degree from Marywood College while caring for two young children at home.

She began her career teaching and was proud to work for Broome Community College for many years as a career counselor and faculty member. Janet served as the President of the Mid Atlantic Career Counseling Association during this time and was instrumental in planning several conferences. She developed and facilitated a support group on campus for women who had survived domestic violence and took this group of brave women to the Seneca Falls Women’s History Museum. She had lifelong friendships with several colleagues at BCC and cherished her time working there.

Janet’s faith, family and advocacy for those without a voice or those on the margins of society were her lifelong passion. She was active throughout her life in numerous women’s organizations and was proud to have participated in two Marches in Washington for women’s reproductive rights. She was an active member of numerous churches throughout her life. Her most proud accomplishment was acting as the Chair of and seeing the resolution pass for The Welcoming and Affirming Committee for LGBTQ+ at the Fort Myers United Church of Christ.

Janet was a talented musician and found another passion in her retirement as an active member of the Sweet Adeliene’s Chorus, Spirit of the Gulf. She traveled the world with the chorus and sang in competitions throughout the United States and in Europe. She was a member of two quartets, Jubilee and Sweet Spirit and developed lifelong friendships with her Quartet and Sweet Adeline’s chorus members.

Janet prioritized her family and friends, and each of us felt that love and positivity every single time we were with her, spoke on the phone or Face Timed. She never let her own health challenges get in the way of her constantly taking care of her loved ones. We will miss her terribly.

A memorial service will be held to honor and celebrate Janet’s life on April 25th, 2026, at Avondale United Methodist Church in Jacksonville at 1:00 pm. The service will be live streamed for those unable to travel. She will be buried in Owego with her husband at a later date. Janet cared deeply for all animals and helped those in need. Please make a donation to a women’s domestic violence center and or animal shelter in her honor and memory. Janet also supported the UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and donations to support that work would be appreciated.