Janice Taylor Whittaker, 89, formerly of Cranberry Township, passed away Friday after enjoying a life of love, faith and music.

Janice was born July 1, 1927, in Pittsburgh. She grew up in Cranberry Township and began singing at the Plains Presbyterian Church at age 4.

After completing her education at Sample School and Mars High School, Janice received a Bachelor of Music Education degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Janice then enjoyed teaching music in the Ellwood City School District for a number of years.

In 1954, she married Dr. Arthur Whittaker. The couple moved to Youngstown, Ohio, where they raised their family. Janice directed the Monday Musical Junior Club for 15 years and was a member of the Poland United Methodist Choir for 30 years.

Upon moving in 1992 to Columbus, Ohio, Janice joined the Worthington United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for the next 23 years. She was an active member and former president of both the Worthington Music Club and the Sonata Unit of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Janice also was a member of the local chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization, known as P.E.O.

Janice was a devoted mother and grandmother and cherished the friendships she made through church, choir and music clubs. Family and friends adored Janice's cheerful character and her kind and generous heart. They will treasure memories of her and the musical joy she shared on holidays and birthdays, as well as throughout the year.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Olive and George Taylor.

She is survived by her three daughters, Lani Davakis (Nick) of Columbus, Ohio, Alisa Breisacher (Kevin) of Cleveland, Ohio, and Bea Jaye Whittaker (Kathleen) of San Diego, Calif.; and five grandchildren, Karen, Rachel, Christopher and Caroline Davakis, and Jocelyn Breisacher.

She also is survived by her brother, Gene (Corina) Taylor of Cranberry Township, and his children, Joyce Webster and Scott, Gary, Lance and Ron Taylor.

WHITTAKER — A funeral service for Janice Taylor Whittaker, who died Friday, July 15, 2016, for family and friends will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High St., Worthington, Ohio, with the Rev. Cyndy Garn officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.The burial and a family service will take place 11 a.m. Friday at the Plains Presbyterian Church, 326 Plains Church Road, Cranberry Township.The Boylan Funeral Home, Zelienople, is assisting with the local services.Contributions may be made in Janice's memory to the Worthington United Methodist Church, Worthington, OH 43085 or the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, 55 E. State St., Columbus, OH 4321.The Schoedinger Funeral Home in Columbus, Ohio, also assisted with the arrangements.