Julianne Balmer Bates "Jan"

Julianne Balmer Bates, "Jan", 71, Heathsville, Va., granddaughter Vernon L. Jackson and Eleanor Ewing Jackson, daughter Daniel Turner Balmer McGees Mills, Pa., and Julianne Jackson Balmer Little Rock, Arkansas passed away peacefully March 18 at her home. Jan is survived by her husband of 50 years, Stockton T. Bates Doylestown, Pa., daughter, Julianne Greco, (Steve) Nazareth, Pa., grandchildren Annie, Jackson, Shane; son, Bradford Bates, (Susan), grandchildren Turner, Abigail, Wicomico, Va.; sister, Ruth Balmer Young, "Bebe" Coatesville, Pa., multiple relatives and friends all of whom she cherished and loved. Jan graduated from Magnet Cove High school, 1964 and earned an Elementary Education degree from Park College, Kansas City, Mo., where, she began her teaching career 1968. Jan taught in Doylestown, Pa., Milford, N.J., Baptistown Christian Day School, N.J., and many years in Flemington, N.J. Jan became a certified Reading Recovery specialist in Flemington, N.J. She established Reading Recovery in Northumberland County, Va. In 2010, Jan was honored as one of Virginia State's Super Teachers of the Year. Jan brought "One School, One Book" to Northumberland County Va., schools. After retirement, Jan joined Northumberland Public Library as the children's support staff in 2011. She encouraged construction of Little Free Libraries around the county, established a summer reading program incorporated into the Northumberland Family YMCA, and connected with Home School children and their parents, an annual Black History Month Library Event, Library Circus, and Library Petting Zoo. She partnered with Glen Anderson, founder of "Read to Them" and recruited many hundreds of schools to foster reading from infancy. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Northumberland Public Library, 70204 Northumberland Highway, Heathsville, Va., 22473.