Jan there's not a day that goes by that I still think of you,  see something that reminds me of you or just being at the Deschutes.  You'll always be in our fun memories together. ❤️ 

After attending Jan's service yesterday, I was struck by all the beautiful comments that folks shared.     I was also so touched to hear Jan's personality come through especially in the way that she lived her life with such grace, positivity, and kindness.    I take so many lessons from Jan --- not only in the time when she was here with us all, but now in the legacy she leaves us all with.   

When Natalie and several of Jan's close friends from Breast Friends and Pink Lemonades spoke, I was struck at what a good friend Jan was to others and how her positivity, grace and kindness impacted others through the great women and network she joined, embraced and contributed to.

When Elliot spoke of Jan's time at the City of Portland, I was struck  again by how she so positively impacted those she worked with, once again with such kindness, seeking to impart knowledge, to help others succeed, and to be such an exemplary work teammate.  On the career front, I am reminded of a quote that says A LOT and perhaps could serve as a good reminder to us all, ""A great career is a collection of individual accomplishments that can be assessed, applauded and recognized. A legacy, however, is the lasting impact someone has on other people and a gift they leave for the world."    

Jan truly left her legacy, both professionally and personally.    Now it's up to all of us to take forward what we learned from Jan.    What a a role model she has been and continues to be, what life lessons she has helped teach me and that I am humbled to try and try to take forward in her spirit as best I can.   I love you Jan.  Miss you my friend.


Friendships like this one, with Natalie, are magical. It happened because  of a shared enemy, but it also blossom because of it. Out of the darkest moments can shine the brightest lights.

Jan, you will always be a “Light” in all of our lives at Breast Friends.

The sense of community was something that Jan loved! Being with other women who “get it” was so comforting…and even fun. Who knew you could have fun, while battling cancer…but we did💘💘.

Friendships made at the Breast Friends “Thriving Beyond Cancer” retreat at the Oregon coast. It was a powerful experiment for Jan, and we spoke often of the impact it had on her life.

Women sharing their vision of life after cancer…HOPE forever a part of our lives, but acknowledgment that those visions can be fragile. 

Jan’s smile spoke volumes to the kind of woman she was. Participating in the Warrior Workshops was one of her favorite things!

I met Jan at a time when both of us were beginning a new chapter in our lives…she, as a woman who had heard the words “you have cancer”…me as the new Director of Programs at Breast Friends. She came to me as a patient in need of support and encourage, but soon became a dear friend and “sister”.  You see, only another woman who has heard those words truly understand their impact. Sharing my tips and tools with Jan, and all the women who found our safe haven, became the purpose for my own cancer diagnosis.

Jan’s quiet grace and kindness impacted every woman who met her. And within the safety of our programs, she found friendships that enriched her life…silver linings from this terrible journey. She thrived at our events and activities, even traveling to the coast to open her heart to a group of fellow Warriors…something she told me she would have never done before the cancer. She was like a butterfly, gently spreading  her wings, all the while aware that life is a gift to be cherished.

Jan, my friend…my sister…I’m honored that I could be by your side at your time of need. I’m blessed that I got to know the beautiful woman who you were. I will forever carry you in my heart. May God’s Peace be with your family and loved ones. We all have another Angel Warrior in our lives now. 

Hugs,
Mama Yvonne 



A photo complements of Jan’s friend Jo Ann Nichols. I love this photo (thank you Jo Ann for sharing) as her smile (like in so many other photos) shines through!

When we meet, it was at Portland State University. She to be an accountant and me going for business.  Thank goodness we bonded quickly as she got me through accounting- I knew there was not going to be any competition there. We quickly began outings and gatherings together, which evolved through many years into long weekends of canning, soap making, traditional fire starters and always a few new projects Jan had found over the year, looking forward to our girl’s weekend.
We would look forward to our Deschutes’s trips for total rest and relaxation, with the exception of one rattlesnake kill- had both of us in a tizzy. But never stopped her from returning. 
She loved life and grabbed every opportunity that came her way. I marveled at how much she could fill her time with so many trips and gatherings - especially with her wonderful “Pink Sisters”, those times seemed to never stop.
Jan never backed down to her first go around of cancer, fighting so hard, quietly but so fiercely and overcoming the wicked disease. Her second round didn’t pull her down at all, she stayed  so positive and strong! 
I feel a sense of calmness, knowing God was deep within her and she was ready for his calling, though none of her family or friends were ready to loose such a beautiful and gentle soul. May your eternal life be full of many more adventures. I love you Jan.

I was lucky enough to know Jan for approximately 30 years. We were part of a small group of couples that spent  Thanksgiving, New Year’s, summer holiday barbecues, birthdays and Halloween parties together. 

I was always struck by how Jan was so kind and gentle.  I was blessed  to have her friendship and I am so sad that she was taken so soon. She will be missed by many.

We will so miss Jan's smiling face as well as her positive attitude during our walk n talks and all the other BF's events that she participated in with all of us.  I am so sorry I won't be here for your services this coming Saturday, but I will be thinking of you and sending thoughts and prayers your way.  God bless you, and put in a good word with the big guy up there for the rest of us!

Hugs,  Debbie

I had the privilege of working with Jan for most of my 17 year career at the Portland Water Bureau.  She was a wonderful person.  I know she will be sorely missed by family and friends.  Our hearts are with her family.   Mike and Cathy Stuhr

I met Jan through the Breast Friends support group and saw her during the Walk & Talk events. I was lucky to spend a good portion of those walks chatting with her. Jan was also one of the 9 Breast Friends warriors in a “Zoom” session to keep me “company” when I was in the hospital for my 3rd surgery. Positive energy surrounded her along with a beautiful, warm smile and calming demeanor. Breast Friends walks will never be as enjoyable without her. I am deeply sorry for the family’s loss of such an incredible woman.

I met Jan through Breast Friends and really enjoyed spending time with her and getting to know her. She was always there with a smile and a laugh. Ready to chat and share and learn.  She was such a kind and gentle soul who will be dearly missed by me and many others. 

Jan and I got to know each other first as colleagues as we both started working for one of the "Big 8" public accounting firms on the same day (over 30 years ago). As a former small town girl, I had just moved to the big city (PDX) and having gone to college in Tacoma WA, I knew no one here. Jan became my one and only and very first friend back then and remained that though all these years. She was one of the most positive, upbeat and kind hearted individuals I knew.   Her smile (as the photos show) was always shining through. Although she was very quiet and mild mannered she had a heart of gold and care toward others. And though some would describe Jan as very private, I had the fortune of getting to know her on a deeper level.   Jan and I weathered through the CPA exam together and I became a 3rd wheel on all her dates with her husband (then boyfriend) Scott.    She played the piano at my wedding and then subsequently helped me through my divorce.  When Jan fought (and won) her first battle with breast cancer back in 2017, I remember how much she appreciated the Breast Friends group and it was no surprise that she then wanted to give back by serving as a Breast Friend to others going through what she had gone through.   I have so many fond memories of Jan whether it was Xmas shopping together at the Expo, taking classes together to learn to make fancy handmade cards, our gel candle making “fad”, or trying karoke for the very first time while singing "That's What Friends Are For".  But most of all I recall Jan's positive and supportive presence toward others.  I don't and never will understand why the good ones are taken from us so early. And Jan was certainly one of those......   sending hugs to her family and with a very sad, heavy heart.  

I met Jan while we were both at the end of our BC treatment in 2017 through Breast Friends.  We became fast friends.  We live close to each other and would attend many Breast Friends events together and go on walks.  She was the sweetest person I have ever met.  Every year we would go strawberry picking at Bella Organics with a small group of other survivors. This picture is from 2018.  I'll miss you dearly my friend.

I worked with Jan at the Water Bureau. She was such an intelligent, kind and sweet person. She was so patient and learned so much from her. The attached picture was taken at one of our work Halloween parties. So many fond memories of her and her sweet smile.


OBITUARY

Janis Lynn Warner

March 22, 1965 – August 28, 2022

Young's Funeral Home

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