Janice Lavonne Jay

Mrs. Janice “Jan” LaVonne Jay, 81, passed away in Sandpoint, Idaho on June 29, 2014. Jan was born on July 22, 1932 in Penang, Malaysia. She spent the early years of her life in Bangkok, Siam now known Thailand. She came back to the States to attended Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Washington where she met her future husband and the love of her life Jim Jay. They were married in Spokane, Washington on July 22, 1951 and moved to Walla Walla, Washington to attend Walla Walla College. During the Korean War Jim was stationed in Hawaii and Jan was able to be there with him. After Jim finished medical school and residency at the White Memorial Hospital, Jan was able to introduce her love and family to the country that she grew up in. Going into mission service in Thailand for 3 years and then later to Ile Ife, Nigeria where they spent 18 months. Jan always worked and did everything with Jim, including moving to Concordia, Kansas which was to be for only 3 years, 3 months and after 18 years she and Jim were moved back to Sandpoint, Idaho just before Jim’s death. She loved her cats and little dog, and watching the deer that would come to her yard daily. Before her eye sight stated to fail she loved to paint and to quilt. She also loved to play the piano. She was an active member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church throughout her life. Jan is survived by her brother Haldon Ritz of Hawaii; sister Karen Dunn of Portland, OR; her daughter Jacki (Doug) Steele of Clark Fork, ID; her two sons Jonathan Jay of Alabama, and Jeffrey (Maria) Jay of Springdale, WA; her grandsons Jim Steele of Clark Fork, Idaho and James Robert Jay of Springdale, WA; granddaughters Roni Lea (Jay) (Justin) Anderson of Spokane, WA and Felicita Isabel Jay of Springdale, WA; and her great grandchildren Josealynn Ann Anderson of Spokane, WA and Cayden Kerk Anderson of Spokane, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband.