Dani L. Ganter

On November 18, 2024, Dani Ganter passed away peacefully at 1:50 AM after a short battle with cancer.  She tried valiantly to overcome this disease but eventually was at peace with the fact she was not going to be successful.  She was a strong and determined woman who loved her family deeply.  She was born to Anthony and Sally Monaco in Watertown on 4/5/56 and grew up in Glen Park when the family moved there in 1969.  She met Howard Ganter as a sophomore at General Brown in 1971 and they were married on July 9, 1977.  They were together for 53 years and were life partners. Besides her husband, she is survived by her two sons Travis (Lindsey) Ganter, Watertown, NY and Nicolas (Sahrae) Ganter, Carthage, NY, two grandchildren Nolan and Layla Ganter and siblings Toni Washer, Fort Worth, Texas, Jana (Bernard) Parody, Dexter, Claire Monaco, Lowville, Craig (Tina) Monaco, Adams, and Nicole (Dan) Buckley, Glen Park.  Also, brothers and sisters in law Peter (Lori) Ganter, Chaumont, Randy (Cathy) Ganter, Dexter, Jamie (Terri) Ganter, Clayton, Julie (Mike) Hulbert, Dexter, Kathy (John) Chiumento, Olive Branch Miss., Sue Ann (Wayne) Messick, Watertown, William Smith, Watertown and Kyle (Alexis) Ganter, Rochester as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents and her sisters, Tracey Smith and Suzette Cumoletti and her in-laws Fredrick and Joan Ganter.

Dani worked varied jobs when she was younger but when the boys arrived, she chose to stay home and support them while providing daycare services to the neighborhood kids.  She was a mama bear when it came to her kids, family and her friends and would defend them to the end, even if they were in the wrong.  She was also a pick and loved to tease everyone from her sisters to other family members.  She enjoyed gambling and was often seen scratching a lottery ticket, going to Bingo on Wednesday nights or making a trip to the casino.  She also enjoyed her Bunco group and looked forward to an evening out with the girls monthly as well as attending her Tops group in Dexter each week.  She was great at decorating the house and enjoyed the holidays tremendously.  The house was always heavily decorated each holiday, and the grandkids called her Santa Nana.  She never outgrew her dolls and had a rather large collection that had a room designated for just the dolls.  She was a great cook, and we often looked forward to eating spaghetti and meatballs, chicken and dumplings, beef stew and so many other dishes.  She was proud of her boys and what they had been able to accomplish.  Most of all she supported her husband in his career and the fact that his second family at the Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence sometimes took precedence.  She was the rock behind the scene.  Her humor, infectious laugh and caring attitude will be missed by all that had the privilege to have known her.

The calling hours will be at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dexter on Friday, November 22nd from 5-7 PM and Saturday, November 23rd 10-11 AM with the funeral immediately following.  There will be a reception at the Dexter Legion immediately after the funeral.  Donations in Dani’s memory can be made to the Arc Jefferson-St. Lawrence Foundation at PO Box 41, 968 Bradley Street, Watertown, NY 13601.  If you wish to support the Howie Ganter Recreation Fund at the Foundation, just put that in the memo line of the check.  This fund supports recreational activities and equipment for people with disabilities.

Online condolences may be left at www.dexterfuneralhome.com

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