Janice Merlin Sorkin Mazza of Anaheim , CA , passed away at 90 years young on February 2, 2022, surrounded by love and her family. Janice was born on July 24,1931 to Hannah and Ellis Morton in Cleveland, Ohio. They came from humble beginnings traveling from Loraine, Ohio to settle in Los Angeles with their airstream trailer in tow. Her parents landed in Culver City, Los Angeles with her father working for the LA Times and her mother working retail selling vacuum cleaners. Janice went on to graduate from Alexander Hamilton High in Los Angeles, CA. After graduating from high school, Janice went on to pursue a degree at UCLA. Janice met Martin Sorkin and fell in love and had 4 daughters: Nona, Julie, Sharon, and Davina. Marty was entrepreneurial and enthusiastic. After working as a dental assistant so Martin could finish college and having their first daughter, they took a drive in 1956 to an up-and coming area, Anaheim and purchased a beautiful new home. It was the home of her dreams. Janice fell in love with traveling, which kicked off a life of adventure and a career in the travel industry. In 1961, she traveled to Israel with Cantor Model and the Temple Beth Emet Choir to sing at Zimriya, the Jewish World Choir Festival. From 1962-1964, she was Vice President of the Temple Beth Emet Sisterhood and she was proud to assist in building a place to worship Judaism in Orange County. In 1965, she became a hotel representative which led to many visits and relationships in San Carlos Bay, Mexico. In 1971, they purchased a Jewish Deli, Lyndel’s in Anaheim. In 1972, after they purchased a flying club, Aviation Unlimited, Janice and 3 other women piloted 4 Cessna planes so that the flying club could be established. They flew from Kansas City to Fullerton, California. Her love of travel included the decision to become a travel agent and then later purchase a travel agency. Janice also loved sharing travel experiences with her friends and family. In 1978, she married Leon Mazza, and they joyfully traveled the world: Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, China, Greece and later they would buy an RV and travel the USA.

Family came first and was above all else to Janice, a value she instilled in all those around her. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill. She loved being in service to her community, and was an enthusiastic volunteer. She proudly wore the uniform of the Anaheim Police Department. As a RSVP volunteer, she rode around her beloved Anaheim with her partners doing welfare checks for seniors. She also served on the Anaheim Memorial Hospital Guild and at Anaheim High School working with her daughter Sharon in the Drama Department. Janice loved theater, adventure, her family, animals, and the hummingbirds and garden in her backyard. Janice was predeceased by her mother Hannah Levine Morton, her father, Ellis Bernard Morton, and her husband Leon Mazza. She is survived by her daughter Nona Cardell and her husband Joe and her children Daniel Sorkin and Davna Powell and their children, Chance Neal, Skylar Sparks, and Anslee Powell. Daughter Julie Standish and her son John Standish and his wife Amanda and their children, Malcolm and Rory. Daughter Sharon King and her husband Jay, and their child Parker. Daughter, Davina Kom and her husband Kevin and their children Katie Eckstrom, and Tyler. Her beauty was as beautiful as the roses she nurtured and the roots of her legacy run as deep as the giant avocado tree that has provided luscious fruit for decades. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Janice’s name to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Service February 8th, 2022 at 11 am and Internment at 12 pm Harbor Lawn-Mt Olive Memorial Park & Mortuary 1625 Gisler Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/janice-morton/obituary/

Copy