Janice L. (Schultz) Karasinski

Janice L. Karasinski, 85, of Seneca, PA, passed away Dec. 27, 2025 at Oakwood Heights.  Born February 19, 1940 in Oil City, PA, she was the daughter of the late Paul R. Schultz and Mae M. Whitehill Cubbison.

“Jan” to her friends and “Mutti” (German for Mom) to her children in their adult years was a fun-loving woman whose enthusiasm for life was evident to all who knew her. She embraced the world with curiosity and joy, especially through her love for travel. Jan was fortunate to explore Europe extensively with her brother Joe, who made Germany his home during and after his service in the U.S. Army.

Together they visited many memorable destinations, including Amsterdam, Tuscany, Venice, Poland, France, Switzerland, Austria and London.

Jan carefully documented her travels in photo albums filled with pictures and detailed notes about where she went and what she experiences. She especially treasured the time spent with her brother’s beloved family in Germany.  Joe looked forward to their visits and delighted in finding special places to share with her.  Her niece Cindy (and son Philip), and nephews Timmy and Kai cherished their time with Aunt Jan, as did many others among Joe’s family and friends.

A devoted fan of British television, Jan’s enjoyment spanned decades, from early favorites such as Masterpiece Theatre and Upstairs, Downstairs to more recent programs including Downton Abbey, The Great British Baking Show and Portrait Artist of the Year. She loved period films and shows that brought history to life.

Gardening, a passion passed down from her grandmother Clara, brought Jan peace and satisfaction. She found joy in working the soil and tending to her planting beds, and loved photographing her roses, lavender, hydrangeas, peonies and petunias to share with friends on Facebook.

While she delighted in flowers blooming outside her home, she also enjoyed bringing cut flowers indoors to brighten her living space.

Jan maintained close ties with her high school classmates, cherishing their class reunions and serving several times on the organizing committee.

She also enjoyed standing lunch dates with a group of these longtime friends.

She took pride in her many years of service as secretary in the Nursing Dept. at the Oil City Hospital, where she was especially proud of her perfect attendance record.  Jan was fortunate to find among her coworkers a few kindred spirits who became treasured lifelong friends.

Jan loved to dance the polka, and as young woman, she earned the nickname  ”the polka queen”. Many lively evenings in her younger years were spent whirling around the dance floor at the PNA Club. She always took to the opportunity to polka at weddings, and always enjoyed the group dances such as the chicken dance and the electric slide as well.

Animals held a special place in Jan’s heart, particularly cats and orangutans. She delighted in watching videos of a jungle school in Borneo that rescues orphaned baby orangutans and prepares them for life in the wild. Her gentle cat companion of twenty years, Zoey, was a kindred spirit, while her cat Lavender, though mischievous, brought much laughter and joy in later years.

Always fashionable, Jan enjoyed shopping trips with her daughter. As a young woman, she sewed clothing for herself and her children, including bicentennial outfits for school photos in 1976 and a colorful clown costume for her daughter Julie one Halloween.

Jan loved art, admiring the works of Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, her talented son Dan, and local artist Fred Carrow (whose mother was a beloved friend and neighbor). She was also an artist herself, working exclusively in her favorite medium, watercolor. Over the years, she took many classes and was delighted  in gifting her paintings to family and friends. Crocheting was another creative outlet, and she lovingly made afghans, hats, scarves, and kitchen wash cloths for those she cared about.

She especially loved visits to Pittsburgh to spend time with her children, exploring Carnegie Museum, Phipps Conservatory, antique shops and local restaurants, or just relaxing at home with a barbecue dinner and a movie. One particularly memorable experience was attending a unique exhibit featuring Van Gogh’s art paired with an immersive light and sound display.

Family was at the center of Jan’s Life. She took great pleasure in making holidays and birthdays special and was a thoughtful gift-giver with a remarkable knack for finding just the right present. She cared for and supported her children throughout their lives in whatever ways they needed. She also served as a loving caregiver to both of her parents for many years as they navigated their elder years.

Jan dearly loved her good friends and family, and would do anything for them. To be in the warmth  of her inner circle was a true privilege. Her friends and family will remember her silly, witty sense of humor and joyous, contagious laughter, and how special it felt to be in her presence. She will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her children Daniel Karasinski and his wife Janlyn of Oakmont, Julie Schneider and her husband Charles of Pittsburgh, and Michael Karasinski of Seneca.  She is also survived by her brother Joseph Schultz of Waldmohr, Germany, niece Cindy and nephews Timmy and Kai.

Friends will be received from 11:00A.M.-12:30 P.M. Saturday Jan. 10 in the Reinsel Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:30 P.M. in the Funeral Home.  Interment will be in Brandon Cemetery following the services.

Memorials may be made to the Bronchiectasis and NTM Association. 

https://www.bronchiectasisandntminitiative.org/

Condolences may be sent at www.reinselfuneralhome.com

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