Former Brenau University Trustee Janice Claire Follachio Bloom, WC ’70, died on April 13 at age 74.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 20, at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul.
Bloom had lived in the Buckhead area of Atlanta for five decades, but also spent time in Waterbury, Connecticut, Prospect, Connecticut, Gastonia, North Carolina and Dalton, Georgia.
Bloom graduated from Brenau with a Bachelor of Arts in English language and literature. She was president of Chi Omega Sorority and a member of the Senior Honor Society. She was selected by fellow students as May Day Queen and also chosen for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. She graduated from Georgia State University with a Master of Education in English language and literature in 1974.
Bloom spent three decades in the DeKalb County, Georgia, school system and was named Teacher of the Year. As noted in her obituary, “she was universally liked and respected by her students, peers, and administration and was well known for her sense of humor and quick wit.”
Bloom was an active volunteer for many organizations. At Christ the King, she served as a eucharistic minister, member of the Parish Council, co-chair of a Habitat for Community home building, president of the St. Jude’s Circle, and active member of the Cathedral Women’s Bible Study.
She also volunteered at the Piedmont Hospital Gift Shop for more than 20 years and regularly delivered food to underprivileged families.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Michael D. Bloom, Atlanta; sister, Pegi Follachio, Atlanta; and sister, Christine Duffie (Larry), Dalton, Georgia.
