Obituary of Janet S. McCauley

Rensselaer- Janet S. McCauley,  age 84, of Rensselaer passed away peacefully at Albany Medical Center on Friday, December 23, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Janet was born on August 3, 1938, and was the first child of the late Myron Guy and Helen (Sweet) Butler. After their mother’s untimely death, Janet took on the role as matriarch and helped their father with her ten younger siblings. Janet married the love of her life, William McCauley on October 18, 1974, and took on the role of bonus mom to Patrick, Shirley, and Linda.  

Janet was a lifelong resident of the City of Rensselaer where she lived a life of service to her hometown. For over 40 years, Janet worked in many different departments in City Hall. Janet was involved in many local organizations including Girl Scouts, the Democratic Party, and Rensselaer PTA. 

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, brothers Myron Jr. (Mickey), James, Robert, and Joseph, sisters JoAnn and Sandra, brothers-in-law James Endres and Mike Remington, sister-in-law Patricia Butler, and nephew Robert Butler, Jr. 

Janet is survived by her siblings, Linda Remington, Donald (Darlene) Butler, Wesley Butler, and Liz (Ken) Bloomer, brother-in-law William Reimann, and sisters-in-law Sharon DiDonna and Bonnie Butler. In addition to her siblings, Janet is survived by her son Patrick (Paula) McCauley and their children Ashley and Kayla, daughter Shirley (Joe) Cacioppo and their children Chrissy, CJ, and Daniel, daughter Linda Thomas and her children Nicholas, Courtney, and Chelsea as well as many great grandchildren who she loved dearly. Janet was the loving aunt of the Butler and McKrells and well known as “Smacky” to her 16 nieces and nephews and 28 great nieces and nephews in the Butler family. 

Janet lived a life of fun and adventure with Bill and many friends. For over 50 years, she was a devoted member of her “Bingo Club” meeting every Friday evening. She also made many trips to Florida and Idaho to visit her children. 

Friends and family are invited to call on Thursday, December 29th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Friday, December 30th at 9:30 am at The Parish of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph, 50 Herrick Street, Rensselaer . Janet will be eternally placed next to her loving husband in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rensselaer.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to The Parish of St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph, Rensselaer.