Obituary of Janice C. Merkel

Janice Christine Merkel 12/22/1936 - 4/11/2025 

Janice C. Merkel (Grammie, Maa, Shomma, Jonnie) of Somers, New York for 32 years, formerly of Yonkers, New York, died Friday April 11 th, 2025 at Putnam Hospital. Janice was born on December 22nd, 1936 in the Bronx, New York to the late Nathan and Veronica Singer.

Her first marriage was to Frank Concilio who died at a young age on September 10 th, 1970. He was a Corrections Officer with the New York City Police Department. They were the loving parents of one son, Frank Concilio Jr., who was born on December 29th, 1962. Janice married Philip William Merkel on July 11 th, 1992. Janice was a devoted grandmother to her two grandsons, Peter and Michael Concilio, from her son Frank Jr. Her grandsons were the beats of her heart and she was incredibly proud of them both. Janice was a loving mother-in-law to her beloved daughter-in-law Deneen Concilio (Frank Jr.) and also a loving Aunt to two nieces, Jeannine Weed (Bruce) of CT, and Jennifer Wieland of CT, and a nephew, Nicholas Singer (Olga) of FL. Included in her loving tribe were great nephew and nieces Jonathan Wieland, Olivia Wieland, Shelby Weed, Lea Singer, Aleksandra Singer and Hess Singer. She was predeceased by her beloved siblings Victoria Berkowitz (Eugene) and Paul Singer (Diane). She was the loving stepmother of Bonnie (Sexton), Laurel (Lanigan), and Stewart Merkel. She enjoyed being a step-grandmother to Michael, Steven, and Paige Sexton, Casey and Timothy Lanigan as well as Grant, Anna, Joy, Mikayla, and Selah Merkel. 

Janice was a graduate of Hunter College with a BA and two MA degrees. She was employed as a teacher in PS 23 and later at De Witt Clinton High School in the Bronx. She taught art there and eventually organized a kitchen run by students which became famous for helping at-risk students learn how to run a business. Teachers patronized the restaurant, known as "The Experienced Kitchen," which they loved. It was highly successful. For her efforts in the program, she received a Mayoral Award. 

Janice had a huge, caring heart and was truly loved by all who met her. She was an amazing cook, and her greatest joy was cooking lavish, multi-course meals for the many large family parties. She was an extremely talented artist and shared that love of art with her students who adored her. She was an avid gardener with a green thumb and her yard was a botanical paradise. She had a particular soft spot in her heart for all animals and enjoyed caring for various lizards over the years as well as taking care of all the birds and animals that ventured onto the yard! She will be so missed by her family and friends. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have been loved by this extraordinary woman, whose absence will be sorely felt, but whose memory will live on in our hearts indefinitely. 

A memorial service will be held at the Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah 10536 on Monday, April 21 st. Visitation begins at 11:00 am with the service at 12:30 pm. Interment will immediately follow at Kensico Cemetery, 273 Lakeview Ave, Valhalla, NY 10595.

In memory of Janice contributions in lieu of flowers can be sent to Animal Nation, Post Office Box 72, South Salem, NY 10590.