I post the following item in memory of a woman who is not known
widely, but whose dedication and love has made such a huge difference
in the lives of thousands of blind Washingtonians(state).
Carl Jarvis
*****
Janice Ames
Jan Ames began her long and purposeful path toward a life well lived
on October 31, 1928, and ended her successful journey on August 9,
2017, having had
success in her family, professional and personal life.
Born Janice Louise Fondy in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Jan graduated
from high school in 1945 and continued her education at South Dakota
State College
in the Journalism Department. Her children are grateful that she
ignored the advice of the Dean of Women who told her to steer clear of
Bill Ames, whom
she eventually married on December 23, 1949. Marriage and family were
a central beacon on Jan's path through life. Early years of marriage
were focused
on the education of her husband, who became a professor of
Communications at the University of Washington <
http://www.legacy.com/memorial-sites/university-of-washington/?personid=186369088&affiliateID=372>
, and on raising her children Laurie (1955) and Tim (1956). The
addition of a Whidbey Island cabin in the early 1970's provided a
delightful getaway for
the family and friends up until the end of her life. Walking the beach
looking for agates and picking up garbage, playing hands of cutthroat
card games
like Whist (which she rarely lost), eating Star Store sandwiches and
taking long walks on Double Bluff became part of the family routines.
The 1980's brought
the opportunity to travel, and life's path seemed incredibly
munificent until Bill was diagnosed with cancer in 1984. Bill died in
1989 but family continued
to be the core of Jan's life. Grandchildren arrived in the 1980's, and
Jan was an active grandmother - each was treated to a trip to
Washington, D.C.,
and they still treasure those experiences. Since her own children were
not willing to do so, Jan spent many hours on the amusement rides with
her grandchildren
at the annual Whidbey Island Fair.
Her professional life was influenced by her husband's heart attack in
1964, and she obtained a graduate degree in librarianship at the
University of Washington
in 1969. This led to a part-time job at the Washington Regional
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which became her
life's work. She would
eventually become the Director of what became the Washington Talking
Book and Braille library in 1979 and set about modernizing the library
to better serve
its patrons, turning it into one of the finest such libraries in the
country. No one was more fiercely dedicated to bringing access to
information and
books to the blind and physically handicapped than Jan Ames. The loss
of a husband did not slow her career, and the 1990's saw Jan continue
her very challenging
and fulfilling work at the WTBBL. She enjoyed going to work every
single day. Lobbying the Legislature to obtain a permanent site for
the library in downtown
Seattle was a crowning achievement. By the time she retired in 2003,
she had been recognized by the American Council of the Blind, the
National Federation
of the Blind and the UW Library School as alumnus of the year.
Jan was not idle in retirement. The first question each morning was:
"What's the plan for the day?" These plans included volunteering at
First Place School,
belonging to the board of People's Memorial, and serving as secretary
for the 46th District Democrats. She looked forward to solving the
problems of the
world during Friday morning walks around Green Lake with her dear
friends Jerry and Randy. She loved trips with family and friends and
truly treasured
the time she was able to spend with her four grandsons. A lifelong
walker like her husband, Jan recently found she was having trouble
getting up the hills
and was ironically found to have the same cancer that had stricken her husband.
Jan continued her full life and was able to squeeze out several more
productive years thanks to the quality and compassionate care of Dr.
Kinsey McCormick
and staff at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. As her life's journey grew
to a close, Providence Hospice delivered kindhearted and caring
services.
Jan is survived by her daughter Laurie; Laurie's two sons Jackson
(Alex) and Tim (Selena); her son Tim (Cathy); and their two sons,
Tyler and Nicholas.
Jan's brother Vic (Donna) and sister Phyllis (John) and their families
provided support that was greatly appreciated. The backing and love
shown by her
countless friends during the last several years has been truly amazing
and was treasured.
While Jan's journey is over, the journey goes on for the rest of us.
This path she traveled -- which brought her a loving husband and
family, a challenging
and rewarding career, and a robust life in retirement -- can serve as
an example for all of us. Her family and friends will miss the
heartfelt, handwritten
thank you notes that always arrived after a dinner or in response to a
gift, and the colorful sock and earring collection that she loved. Jan
Ames was
able to live a long and purposeful life based on the fundamental value
of helping others, and the world is a better place for her journey.
Arrangements
for a memorial service are taking place.
Please see the following website for information and to sign the guest book.
https://funerals.coop/obituaries/
The family suggests donations to the Washington Talking Book and
Braille Library, to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, to People's Memorial
or a charity of
your choice <
http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?iu=/423686928/prod/obit-aff/obit-premium/clio-inline-1&t=clio%3DCOYCALZ%26cobrand%3Dseattletimes%26linkurl%3Dhttp%3A//www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/condolences-charities.aspx%3Fkeyword%3Dcoycalz%26pid%3D186369088%26fn%3DJanice%26ln%3DAmes&sz=1x1&c=628014071>
.
Published in The Seattle Times on Aug. 13, 2017
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