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In memory of
Janice "Jan" K. Brisack
March 23, 1937 - August 31, 2020
Mar 23, 1937 - Aug 31, 2020
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Jan's obituary
Known to her many students and fellow teachers and friends as Jan, she developed and maintained lifelong friendships that were very deeply meaningful to all. It was not unusual for her to still be in contact or go to lunch with those she first met as long as 49 years ago, when she began teaching English to gifted and talented students on a regular basis. Teaching and people were her passions, and she gave everything she had to both. Her zest for life and people continued even as she developed Parkinson’s. No one she met was a stranger for long.
Jan was born to Charles Newton Kraus and Esther Abbott Kraus in 1937 in Providence, RI, and grew up in Niantic, CT with her brother Stephen (Steve) Kraus, who survives her. She was an excellent athlete, especially in tennis, and a straight-A student at all levels. She met Rex Brisack at the University of Nebraska, and they had three children: Chris, Keith, and Cathy. She has four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She lived most of her life in Houston, TX.
Jan’s creative teaching style made literature alive, relevant, and fun. She tied together great authors of both the past and present with the current Motown hits and topics of the day. She invited her students to write journals and she read every entry, often spending many hours a night responding. Many students even today remember how her outreach got them through a tough time or inspired them to persevere and thrive. Her responses were always warm, open, sincere, and nonjudgmental. Many of her students became teachers themselves, and Jan's legacy lives on in them. Everyone she encountered learned from her. They saw her exemplify that a life fully lived and appreciated is the greatest gift we can give to or receive from others.
In closing, two quotations from the great philosopher, Winnie the Pooh.
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever.”
“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
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In lieu of flowers
Please consider a gift to Alley Theatre.
$75.00
Raised by 2 people
Recent contributions
Recent contributions
In lieu of flowers
Please consider a gift to Alley Theatre.
$75.00
Raised by 2 people
Recent contributions
Recent contributions
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Created with love by
Karina Brisack (Jan's granddaughter).
