Janice Emily Testa (Hibbs), 83, of Scotch Plains, NJ and Newport Coast, CA passed away in Newport Coast on September 26, 2013. She was born in Lowell, MA on July 10, 1930 to Chester and Ethel Hibbs. She graduated from Riverside School in Lowell MA; Northfield School for Girls in Northfield, MA; and Bryant and Straton College in Boston.
Janice began her career in communications at radio station WLLH in Lowell. She later worked at the J. Walter Thompson Company in New York City where she produced commercials for the “Today Show” when it first began, and for “Today in New York City.” Following her marriage in 1952 she became office manager for her husband’s company.
Janice was very active at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Westfield, NJ. She was cofounder of Mobile Meals of Westfield, NJ, and was the first president of that independent organization. She was also a member of the board of the Union County Visiting Homemakers Service; president of the Episcopal Church Women at St. Paul’s Church; and was president with her husband of the couples club at the church.
Janice was always active in her alumni association of the Northfield School for Girls now known as Northfield Mount Herman School. She was national chairman of The Annual Fund for four years and was given the highest award of the school, The Lamplighters Award, for making a difference in present and future students’ lives. As chairman of the annual fund she helped raise millions of dollars for the school. She also ran the NMH Travel Program as a volunteer.
Janice and her husband were avid sailors traveling the Intracoastal Waterway from New Jersey to Florida fourteen times and was an active member of the Bay Head Yacht Club. Her award winning photography was her true passion along with traveling extensively throughout Europe.
Janice is survived by her husband of 61 years, Anthony T. Testa of Scotch Plains, NJ and Newport Coast, CA. She is also survived by her three children; Thomas Testa of Colonia, NJ; Jane Howard of Dover, NH; and Elizabeth Manning of Newport Coast, CA. Also, she is survived by six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, and her beloved dog, Sparky.
Funeral services will be held at Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 3233 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, CA 92625, Monday, October 7, at 1:00 PM.
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