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Janice Ilo [Leavitt] Vanlaningham, lifelong Seattle resident with a big smile and a wonderful laugh, passed away quietly on October 24th, in Lacey, Washington, at the age of 91.

 

Janice was born in Seattle on March 1, 1931, the only child of Dr. Darrell Leavitt and his wife, Gertrude Wicker Leavitt. The young family lived in north Seattle, eventually moving into their home on 39th Ave East in 1940. While Dr. Leavitt served in the Army medical corps in Europe during WWII, Janice and her mother lived in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where Jan learned to ice skate, a childhood pastime that she loved. After the end of the war, Janice went to Garfield High School, and then attended the University of Washington, as had both of her parents. While at the UW, she pledged with the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and met the love of her life, Glen Eldon Vanlaningham.

 

Jan and Glen were married in June of 1952, and had three children, raising them in their home on NE 54th St. Janice’s greatest desire was to be a caring home-keeper, wife and mother, and she worked hard to provide a home base where her family was loved and appreciated, and their many friends felt welcome. Over the years, Glen, Jan and their kids greatly enjoyed summer vacations on the Oregon Coast, camping in their trailer at Honeyman, Beachside, and other favorite state parks. And when Jan wasn’t busy with the many elements of running a household, she was always crafting beautiful needle works, her greatest creative passion. Once the Van children were older, Jan made the brave decision to complete her UW degree, so she went back to school in 1973, and received her B.A. in 1976. During her time at the U, she was exposed to many new possibilities and pursuits, and after working there in Sections part-time, she moved up to a rewarding full-time job in Room Assignments at the UW’s Schmitz Hall. Although she retired in 1996, she and Glen remained active at Sand Point Methodist Church, and enjoyed traveling to several locations around Europe, Asia, and the United States. They also enjoyed traveling to visit their children; spending time with friends and family at the Embarcadero Resort in Newport, Oregon; and taking winter trips to Palm Desert, California.

 

In 2012, Glen and Jan moved to the Merrill Gardens Retirement Community in the Ravenna area; Jan’s dear husband Glen passed away in 2015. Jan continued living there for several

more years, where she was liked by all, and will be greatly missed. After a recent decline in her health, she entered memory care in Lacey, and passed away on October 24th , 2022. Our Mom brought laughter and loveliness into the lives of so many, and it was such a blessing to have her with us for so long. Janice was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Glen, and survived by her children Kathryn (KG) Vanlaningham Flaisig and her husband Ed; son Mike and his wife Sue; son Tom and his wife Rosie; grandchildren Becky, Phil, Kristina, Tim, Erica and Ed; and her 14 great-grandchildren.

 

Remembrances can be made to Sand Point Community United Methodist Church, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the American Cancer Society.