My wife and I first really met Jan at a 2017 boat reunion in San Antonio.  She was so kind in including my wife and Susan Browning in the wive’s activities while the guy’s hung out together and told “sea stories”. We all had a great time at that gathering. She’ll certainly be missed, but still be with us in spirit, during our future events. 

Jim & Cissie Pierce of Columbia Maryland

I was shocked at the news of Jan's passing.  I kept saying no, no, no when Steve called. It felt like I had been punched in the stomach and couldn’t get my breath. I had spoken with her 3 or more times the month prior to her  passing.  Jan being Jan was helping me through my own grief.  My husband of 53 years died November 7, 2023. Every time I talked to her after Don’s passing, she sounded great, and we laughed a lot and recalled all the fun the four of us had in Cleburne. In fact, when Steve called, I was actually trying to call Jan and Steve to check to see how things were going  now that she was home.

All the memories of how I met Jan kept flowing through my mind from the time I went to open a checking and savings account at the  credit union with her, Jan volunteering to attend a Mary Kay Meeting with me for no reason other then her curiosity.  One of the unique ways that Jan would let people know it was time to go home she would go put on her flannel pajamas and act as if nothing had changed. I knew.

Jan always had opinions about everything and would always give me her take on life from child raising, to cooking, her life growing up in Detroit, life as military spouse, marriage, happiness, etc.  The four of us many times discussed politics and religion and still stayed close friends. It was always fun even though we did not agree. Jan taught me how to find joy in my life and to smile often and love with all my heart.

I will miss you my dear, dear friend! You and my husband Don were gifts from God.

Connie Shoffit

 

I first met Jan when we were both Navy Wives, husbands serving together on the USS John Marshall that was going through the yards in Vallejo.  Stevan (Stevie) was still in diapers at the time.  When the boat got ready to leave for sea duty, I drove Jan, Steve, and Stevie to the airport in San Francisco to fly back to Michigan.  After the change of home port to Pearl Harbor, Jan picked me up at the airport in Honolulu.  We lost touch due to change of duty stations but found each other again on Facebook, and we were able to visit Jan and Steve at their home in Cleburne, Texas.  A couple years later, they came to visit us for a few days here (also in Texas).  We hadn't seen them since they moved to Florida, but have thought about them often.  Please accept our deepest condolences and prayers for peace during this most trying and difficult time.