Janice Duane Cook

Janice Duane (White) Cook

August 22, 1944 – January 8, 2024

Janice D. Cook, a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend went to be with her Lord and Savior on the morning of January 8, 2024. She passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side. Janice faced many health issues over the past few years including vascular dementia, yet through it all her warm smile and loving spirit lit up every room she was in. Janice was a godly woman with a beautiful heart; she was strong, funny, and kind.

Janice was born at the United States Naval Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia August 22, 1944, to Horace R. and Margaret E. (Duane) White. She spent her childhood years moving frequently (spending several years in Japan) as her father was a career officer in the Navy (a decorated pilot who flew the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber off the USS Ranger and participated in Operation Torch in North Africa).

One of her greatest accomplishments was being a Navy "brat." We often joked that she was a veteran herself as her personality was well suited for the role; she was intuitive, resourceful, and flexible. The family eventually settled in the San Francisco Bay area and she graduated from Novato High School in 1962. She and her brother “Ace” faced many challenges growing up which created a strong bond between them - one that would help them navigate through all of life's ups and downs.

Janice endured much tragedy in her youth, including the tragic passing of her mother when she was 18 years old. In 1966, Janice accepted the Lord as her Savior as she moved across the country from California to Michigan while listening to a Billy Graham crusade on the car radio. For the first time, this gave her the meaning of life for which she had always been looking. Pursuing Christ and sharing His love with others became the focal point of her journey. She continuously showed love, compassion, and impartiality to everyone as she strengthened her faith through Bible studies (and came to love the women with whom she studied), and her godly example led many friends towards Christ. When Janice wrote out the timeline of her life journey, it ended with these words, “I’m not afraid of the future and I know the Lord will be with me forever.”

On December 3, 1966, she married John E. Weitzel in Grand Rapids and they had a son, John Adam. Two years later in 1969, her husband died after a difficult battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which for Janice marked the extent to which a life and death in Christ matters. Janice worked at the hospital during his illness so she could be near John. She loved the Weitzel family and of special note was John’s sister Jeanne, who became Janice’s “spiritual big sister” and had a profound influence on her throughout her life.

In 1970, John B. Cook’s youngest sister, Shirley, introduced John to Janice and 96 days later on July 11 they were married in Grand Rapids. John and Janice were happily married for 53 years and had two more children together, Andrew Bradley (born 1972) and Deborah Jeanne (born 1975). In addition to being a homemaker, Janice worked for Old Kent Bank, Miller Welding Supply, General Motivation, and Kregel Christian Book Stores.

A “California girl” at heart, she is remembered for her fun and free spirit. She loved her nieces, nephews, and kids’ friends as her own and was always ready for a good chit-chat over snacks (perhaps involving “fluffer nutter” on sandwiches or hot cocoa). She was fashionable and funny, and we can all picture her with a great outfit, sunglasses, and extra spearmint gum.

She was a wonderful mom. She had a low-key way of parenting and preferred to model the behavior, stepping in when necessary with loving guidance (generally a firm voice that often concluded with “I’m calling your Father”). Most importantly, she was a follower of Jesus and an example of His love which she demonstrated through her abiding compassion. Leading by example for her kids, she volunteered in their church and school and was invested in their spiritual upbringing.

John and Janice both retired in 2007. During these years, the greatest joy and blessing for Janice was her grandchildren. She loved babysitting them, cared deeply about how they were doing, attended hundreds of sporting events, and had fun shopping for them and finding matching clothes for the holidays. Over the years, the family spent a great deal of time in northern Michigan at Higgins Lake and she spent countless hours watching them play in the sand or swim in the lake. She also loved spending time there with all of the relatives and summers were full of fun at “the sunny lake.”

Janice and John were such a great example to everyone who knew them. Even through her sickness, Janice fought the good fight and loved so hard and so did John. John’s guide as he cared for Janice was this quote: A physician once said, “The best medicine for humans is love.” Someone asked, “What if it doesn’t work?” He smiled and said, “Increase the dose.”

She will be greatly missed by the ones who loved her, but we rejoice in the fact that she is now whole and healthy, free from this disease that slowly robbed her of her memories. A dear childhood friend of Deb's composed a letter to Janice that ended with these words: “I know that God did not create us to be forever in this world, but I’m glad we were together in it, and I know I’ll put my arms around you again.” Janice will be forever in our hearts while we wait to be reunited in Heaven.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents and her first husband. She is survived by her husband, John; children John Adam Cook, Andrew Bradley (Nicole) Cook, Deborah Jeanne (Jonathan) McCourt. Also surviving are grandchildren Bradley, Caleb, Lukas, and Curtis Cook; Ian, Ava, Eli, and Sam McCourt; and her brother, Horace ‘Ace’ (Cynthia) White.

A “celebration of life” will take place at a future date. A private interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.

Our family would like to give a sincere thank you to the many family members and close friends that loaned us medical equipment, watched over, visited, or called to support Janice on her journey. It is impossible to express how much this meant to Janice and John. If you ever find yourself or a friend serving in the role as a caregiver for a loved one here in West Michigan, please consider contacting Faith Hospice. With their help and guidance, we were granted many months filled with wonderful memories of Janice that we will never forget. Thank you so much and may God bless the employees and volunteers of the north team here in Grand Rapids. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their guest book online.