Janice Lorraine Cosco, 85, of Fairmont, passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021. She was born in Fairmont on July 24, 1935, a daughter of the late James Watkins and Elsi Oliver Watkins.

Prior to becoming Marion County Clerk, Janice was employed at Westinghouse as well as the Fairmont Travel Agency. Although she had always been involved in politics, the start of her personal political career came in 1976 when she headed up the "Jim Sprouse for Governor" campaign in Marion County. In addition, she was involved with the statewide campaign to elect Jimmy Carter for President.

In 1980, Janice threw her hat in the ring to run for Marion County Clerk and, winning that election, took office in 1981. She continued to run and win re-election through 2016, serving as Marion County Clerk until her retirement in 2020 – a span of 39 years.

In addition to her position as Marion County Clerk, she also served as President of the Marion County Democratic Women. In the 1990s, she was Chairperson of the Marion County Democratic Executive Committee and along with others, organized the most successful Young Democrats of our county. She also served as Secretary of the National Association of Counties and was the National Representative for Election Reform in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Janice held several offices with the West Virginia Association of Counties and, prior to them hiring a lobbyist, served as lobbyist and Legislative Chair for WVACO. She held positions on various State Boards, among which was the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Board and aided the county in receiving grant awards.

Being a lifelong Marion County resident, Janice was honored to serve her community and with a deep desire to maintain that community, rich in history, she was instrumental in the restoration of the High-Level Bridge.

And above all else, perhaps the greatest attribute of this beloved County Clerk was her desire and determination to serve the public in any way that she possibly could. It was foremost in her being to give assistance to anyone who walked through the doors of her office, a value which she instilled in her staff (which she lovingly referred to as "Her Kids"), a value which endeared her to all whom she served. Anyone who met Janice (whom her staff referred to as "THE BOSS") was welcomed with a beautiful smile and a warm heart. Our county has certainly lost one of the best.

Janice is survived by her daughter, Debbie Talerico and her husband Anthony "Greasy" Talerico; granddaughter, Toni Jo Hayhurst and her husband Dave Hayhurst; brothers, Junior Watkins and his wife Evelyn, Eugene Watkins and his wife Glenda, and Dave Watkins and his wife Penny; sister-in-law, Rosie Watkins; friends, Betsy, Beverly, and Andrew; cousin, Joyce Hardesty; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Dominick Cosco; a son, Phil Cosco; and a brother, Bill Watkins.

The family would like to give thanks to home health care workers Tammi, Colleen, Sarah, Ashlyn, Paula, Mandy, Roxane, Diana, and Laila, as well as Taylor at the Critical Care Unit, Amy at United Hospital Center Hospice, and Hallie Gunnoe at WVU Medicine.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home, 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont, on Friday, March 5, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Vigil Rites will be on Friday at 7:45 p.m. at the funeral home. A Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. with Father Jojan Joseph as celebrant. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.domicofh.com.