Janice (Crafts) Eldridge, 91, of Springfield, peacefully passed after a short illness from complications of pneumonia on Monday, June 5, 2017 at the Life Care of Wilbraham surrounded by her loving family. Janice was born in Guilford, Maine on September 16, 1925, the daughter of the late Archie and Phyllis (Knowlton) Crafts. After graduation from High School in Guilford, Janice pursued her love of chemistry at Wheaton College and Tufts University where in 1949 she received her Masters of Science in Chemistry.  She furthered her studies at Oregon State University and Louisiana State University.  She received her PhD in Education at University of Massachusetts. She taught Organic Chemistry at Springfield College for many years before moving into Administration of the College.   She retired as the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs in 1992, the same year she was selected as the Distinguished Professor of Humanics by Springfield College. After retiring, she pursued her love of antique glass by becoming one of first to have an online presence on eBay. She often could be found at antique shows, towing her Scamp trailer and in the company of her good friends Doris and George.  Janice carried on her mother’s tradition of an annual family lakeside gathering in her beloved home state of Maine.  In her later days, she especially enjoyed the works of Stephen King (also a Maine native) and other fine authors. In addition to her parents she was also predeceased by her former husband Frank Eldridge, two sisters Audrey Crafts and Alymer Eesley and her daughter in law Leslie Eldridge. Janice is survived by her four devoted children Beth Eldridge and her husband David Adams of Searsmont, ME, Audrey Eldridge of The Applegate, OR, Howard Eldridge of Wilbraham and Daniel Eldridge and his wife Diane St. Jean of East Hampton, CT, she also leaves three cherished grandchildren Douglas Eldridge, Noel St. Jean – Chevalier and Sonya Prislac and seven great-grandchildren, Brendan, Trevor, Rose, Ryan, Katrina, Tommy and Serafina.  Janice also leaves behind her much loved Maine Family:  Nieces and nephews Amy Joy, Laurie Weimer, Dale Eesley, Stacy Warner and Stephen McCrae and their families, and her good friend Dorothy Eesley.  She also leaves good friends and care-providers Chozin and Tsepal. The Family would like to thank the Life Care of Wilbraham staff for their loving care of Janice in her last weeks. Family and friends will gather and remember Janice on Friday, June 9, 2017 from 3 p.m. -7 p.m. at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA, 01118. Burial will be private in Maine at a later date. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Thomas J O’Connor Animal Adoption Center at 627 Cottage Street, Springfield MA.  Please visit www.byronkeenan.com for more information.

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