As co-founder of Access Hall County, JaniceBoetz pushed to make public spaces easier to reach for people in wheelchairs. She also helped create a Dial-a-Ride service for the disabled.
Thirty years ago Janice Boetz was stricken with a spinal aneurysm and paralyzed from her chest down. Still, she was able to make great strides during her life from her wheelchair.
She taught school in Atlanta and Gainesville. She was a tutor to girls with learning difficulties in a Brenau University-sponsored program. In the early 1980s, she helped establish a Dial-a-Ride service for the disabled. As a co-founder of Access Hall County, she was a tireless advocate of making public spaces easier to reach for people in wheelchairs.
"Thanks to Janice, Hall County is more accessible," said Sissy Lawson of Gainesville, a former mayor and councilwoman. "She was one of my favorite people, so full of optimism and cheer."
The memorial service for Janice Fant Boetz, 65, of Gainesville is 1 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville. She died Thursday at Decatur Hospital of complications following surgery. The body was cremated. Little-Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
"Well before the Americans With Disabilities Act, Janice was speaking out locally for improved access -- not just to government buildings but to stores and offices and churches. She would go and demonstrate herself when a wheelchair ramp was too steep," said a friend, Carol Ann Armstrong of Gainesville.
"As a member of the Junior League, Janice was required to take part in civic activities, but she couldn't attend City Council meetings because they were held in an upstairs room at City Hall," said Mrs. Lawson. "Janice had a lot to do with the council moving its meetings to the Georgia Mountain Center. Janice was also a great resource of ideas for improvements in sidewalks and ramps."
"I used to give Janice rides when she needed to run errands," said a neighbor, Helen Stewart of Gainesville. "She helped me appreciate the necessity for handicap parking spaces and curb cuts."
As a tutor in the Brenau program, Mrs. Boetz expected the girls she helped to copy her positive outlook and do their best. "Some girls would use their disabilities as an excuse not to perform up to their potential, but Janice wouldn't have any of that." said Mrs. Armstrong.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest Frank Boetz, and two sons, Ernest RobertBoetz and Robert McCall Boetz, all of Gainesville.
Contributor: Dianne Caves (47288499)
Thirty years ago Janice Boetz was stricken with a spinal aneurysm and paralyzed from her chest down. Still, she was able to make great strides during her life from her wheelchair.
She taught school in Atlanta and Gainesville. She was a tutor to girls with learning difficulties in a Brenau University-sponsored program. In the early 1980s, she helped establish a Dial-a-Ride service for the disabled. As a co-founder of Access Hall County, she was a tireless advocate of making public spaces easier to reach for people in wheelchairs.
"Thanks to Janice, Hall County is more accessible," said Sissy Lawson of Gainesville, a former mayor and councilwoman. "She was one of my favorite people, so full of optimism and cheer."
The memorial service for Janice Fant Boetz, 65, of Gainesville is 1 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville. She died Thursday at Decatur Hospital of complications following surgery. The body was cremated. Little-Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
"Well before the Americans With Disabilities Act, Janice was speaking out locally for improved access -- not just to government buildings but to stores and offices and churches. She would go and demonstrate herself when a wheelchair ramp was too steep," said a friend, Carol Ann Armstrong of Gainesville.
"As a member of the Junior League, Janice was required to take part in civic activities, but she couldn't attend City Council meetings because they were held in an upstairs room at City Hall," said Mrs. Lawson. "Janice had a lot to do with the council moving its meetings to the Georgia Mountain Center. Janice was also a great resource of ideas for improvements in sidewalks and ramps."
"I used to give Janice rides when she needed to run errands," said a neighbor, Helen Stewart of Gainesville. "She helped me appreciate the necessity for handicap parking spaces and curb cuts."
As a tutor in the Brenau program, Mrs. Boetz expected the girls she helped to copy her positive outlook and do their best. "Some girls would use their disabilities as an excuse not to perform up to their potential, but Janice wouldn't have any of that." said Mrs. Armstrong.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest Frank Boetz, and two sons, Ernest RobertBoetz and Robert McCall Boetz, all of Gainesville.
Contributor: Dianne Caves (47288499)
As co-founder of Access Hall County, JaniceBoetz pushed to make public spaces easier to reach for people in wheelchairs. She also helped create a Dial-a-Ride service for the disabled.
Thirty years ago Janice Boetz was stricken with a spinal aneurysm and paralyzed from her chest down. Still, she was able to make great strides during her life from her wheelchair.
She taught school in Atlanta and Gainesville. She was a tutor to girls with learning difficulties in a Brenau University-sponsored program. In the early 1980s, she helped establish a Dial-a-Ride service for the disabled. As a co-founder of Access Hall County, she was a tireless advocate of making public spaces easier to reach for people in wheelchairs.
"Thanks to Janice, Hall County is more accessible," said Sissy Lawson of Gainesville, a former mayor and councilwoman. "She was one of my favorite people, so full of optimism and cheer."
The memorial service for Janice Fant Boetz, 65, of Gainesville is 1 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville. She died Thursday at Decatur Hospital of complications following surgery. The body was cremated. Little-Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
"Well before the Americans With Disabilities Act, Janice was speaking out locally for improved access -- not just to government buildings but to stores and offices and churches. She would go and demonstrate herself when a wheelchair ramp was too steep," said a friend, Carol Ann Armstrong of Gainesville.
"As a member of the Junior League, Janice was required to take part in civic activities, but she couldn't attend City Council meetings because they were held in an upstairs room at City Hall," said Mrs. Lawson. "Janice had a lot to do with the council moving its meetings to the Georgia Mountain Center. Janice was also a great resource of ideas for improvements in sidewalks and ramps."
"I used to give Janice rides when she needed to run errands," said a neighbor, Helen Stewart of Gainesville. "She helped me appreciate the necessity for handicap parking spaces and curb cuts."
As a tutor in the Brenau program, Mrs. Boetz expected the girls she helped to copy her positive outlook and do their best. "Some girls would use their disabilities as an excuse not to perform up to their potential, but Janice wouldn't have any of that." said Mrs. Armstrong.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest Frank Boetz, and two sons, Ernest RobertBoetz and Robert McCall Boetz, all of Gainesville.
Contributor: Dianne Caves (47288499)
Thirty years ago Janice Boetz was stricken with a spinal aneurysm and paralyzed from her chest down. Still, she was able to make great strides during her life from her wheelchair.
She taught school in Atlanta and Gainesville. She was a tutor to girls with learning difficulties in a Brenau University-sponsored program. In the early 1980s, she helped establish a Dial-a-Ride service for the disabled. As a co-founder of Access Hall County, she was a tireless advocate of making public spaces easier to reach for people in wheelchairs.
"Thanks to Janice, Hall County is more accessible," said Sissy Lawson of Gainesville, a former mayor and councilwoman. "She was one of my favorite people, so full of optimism and cheer."
The memorial service for Janice Fant Boetz, 65, of Gainesville is 1 p.m. today at the First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville. She died Thursday at Decatur Hospital of complications following surgery. The body was cremated. Little-Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
"Well before the Americans With Disabilities Act, Janice was speaking out locally for improved access -- not just to government buildings but to stores and offices and churches. She would go and demonstrate herself when a wheelchair ramp was too steep," said a friend, Carol Ann Armstrong of Gainesville.
"As a member of the Junior League, Janice was required to take part in civic activities, but she couldn't attend City Council meetings because they were held in an upstairs room at City Hall," said Mrs. Lawson. "Janice had a lot to do with the council moving its meetings to the Georgia Mountain Center. Janice was also a great resource of ideas for improvements in sidewalks and ramps."
"I used to give Janice rides when she needed to run errands," said a neighbor, Helen Stewart of Gainesville. "She helped me appreciate the necessity for handicap parking spaces and curb cuts."
As a tutor in the Brenau program, Mrs. Boetz expected the girls she helped to copy her positive outlook and do their best. "Some girls would use their disabilities as an excuse not to perform up to their potential, but Janice wouldn't have any of that." said Mrs. Armstrong.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest Frank Boetz, and two sons, Ernest RobertBoetz and Robert McCall Boetz, all of Gainesville.
Contributor: Dianne Caves (47288499)
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