Janice Laverne Nicholas
Janice Laverne Nicholas, age 75, of Hillsboro, Oregon passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at her home surrounded by loving family.
Janice was born July 23, 1940 in Portland, Oregon. She attended David Hill Elementary, BW Barnes Junior High, and Hillsboro High School. She attended Oregon State College then entered Stanford University as a junior in the spring of 1960. She finished with a master’s of education in March 1963. After teaching five years at Mountain View High School in California, she returned to Oregon and worked in Portland as an administrative secretary for Metro Youth Commission. In December of 1968 she met John Nicholas. She wed the love of her life in December 1969, became mom to his six children and then had three more children. They were married for 38 years until he passed away in 2007.
John and Janice resided in Hungry Horse for 17 years where they had their own construction company and managed the Hungry Horse Water Company. Active in the community, they enjoyed coaching, attending baseball games, supporting the Wildcats, and serving on various committees. Jan also wrote a column for the Hungry Horse News for many years.
In 1987 Janice was diagnosed with breast cancer and the family returned to Oregon where she could seek the medical care she needed. After treatment, Janice defied the odds and remained cancer-free for many years.
In Oregon she substituted in Hillsboro as well as working “on call” at the Hillsboro Public Library. While earning her library media certification she worked for WCCLS at Banks Library then moved to the reference library at Multnomah County Library. She then transferred to West Slope Library where she remained for 20 years. She retired from the library in 2011. She was loved dearly by those who frequented and worked at the library.
In 2007 the cancer returned. Jan underwent treatment for the next nine years without complaint. She was truly an inspiration to all around her. She always embraced life regardless of the health issues she was facing.
Jan was a lover of history, books and the English Language. She loved debating politics and never lost her thirst for knowledge. She loved the beach and spending priceless time with her friends over lunch or coffee. She kept in touch with her grade school and high school friends throughout her life for they were extremely important to her. She loved to cook, to travel and she loved being involved in the community. She continually looked for ways to improve the lives of those around her.
But nothing matched the love and devotion that Jan had for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed being the mother of nine and gave everything she had for them often sacrificing her own comfort to be there and support them. She was very active in their lives cherishing time spent watching sporting events, attending dance recitals, weddings, births, and graduations. She showed unconditional love to all of her family and friends offering support and advice. She was loving and compassionate. She will be missed dearly by all.
Jan was preceded in death by her husband John, and her parents, Vernon and Jean Nelson.
She is survived by her sister Julie Grogan and husband Mike and her brother Vernon Nelson. Her children, Jennette Campbell and husband Donyale; Julie Kleven and husband Wade; Vern Nicholas, Melanie White and husband Val; Daniel Nicholas, Diana Nicholas, John Nicholas and wife Karen; Sue Meyer and Bob Nicholas. Grandchildren, David Meyer and wife Shawna; Joel Nicholas and wife Annika; Crystal White, Brittany Meyer and husband Chance; Cortney White, Emma, Jack and Ellie Kleven; Bella Nicholas, Kaleah and Declan Campbell; and Johnathan Lee Nicholas. Great grandchildren, Kaylyn and Kyle Meyer; Angus Nicholas and nieces and Nephews, Amy Grogan, Kerry Grogan, Shoshana Alexander, Kelly Albrecht and husband Rich and their children Alexandra and Max.
The family would like to request that remembrances in her name be given to Oregon Public Broadcasting or the Nature Conservancy.
A celebration of life will be held at the Meadows Club House in Hillsboro, Oregon Sunday, June 12 at 3 p.m.
The family would like to thank all who visited and supported them over the years.