Jan was born in Alamosa, Colorado on September 8, 1934 to Richard and Hattie Hill. She graduated from Wilbur High School and went on to earn a degree as a registered nurse from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in 1954.
While still a student nurse, Jan met Jesse Richardson, a U.S. Airman stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. They were married for 63 years. During this time, they settled in Spokane and eventually moved to a small farm in the heart of the Spokane Valley where they raised four children. Always active and adventurous, the family enjoyed camping, traveling with large groups of friends and family, growing their own vegetables and farm animals, boating and fishing, and spending time at their cabin at Priest Lake. While raising their family, Jan worked at Sacred Heart Hospital and then Valley General Hospital where she retired as the Charge Nurse of the Pediatric Unit.
Upon retirement, she traded in her nurse’s hat for a pair of gardening gloves. Her flower gardens and raspberry patch were perfectly tended, deserving of a Master Gardener. Jan and Jess also escaped Eastern Washington’s harsh winters for the sun and sand in Puerto Penasco, Mexico. They enjoyed over 20 years with fellow snowbirds and met lifelong friends.
Loved by all who knew her, Jan will forever be remembered as an avid card and game player, as well as dedicated, caring, kind, sweet, hardworking, quick witted and spunky. She maintained her legendary spirit through her short battle with cancer.
Jan is survived by her husband Jesse Richardson, children Joann (Tom) Medcalf, Jerry (Jan) Richardson, and Judy (Nate) Lawless; grandchildren Chris Henry, Jared Richardson, Justin Medcalf, and Jessie Lawless; and four great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Ava, Braylen and Camden; and a number of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Warren and Duane Hill, and her forever-loved daughter, Jeanne.
Services for Janice will be held at Hazen & Jaeger Valley Funeral Home, 1306 N Pines Rd, Spokane Valley, on Monday, November 5 at 11:00 AM followed by a gathering in the reception room.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation in Janice’s name to Hospice of Spokane.
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