Jan and Ron
Janice Elaine Jackman was born on February 3, 1949, in Tacoma, Wash., to George and Meryle Busch, and passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends, on February 26, 2018, after a 24-year battle with breast cancer.
Jan attended Washington State University, where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, and graduated in 1971. That same year she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Ron Jackman. Together they raised two sons, Chris and Derek.
Jan was a teacher and substitute for 26 years, and also organized and ran large craft shows with two partners for 35 years. Jan was an avid sports fan, attending all kinds of youth, college, and professional sporting events. She was especially a fan of the WSU Cougars and the Seattle Seahawks, where she was a season ticket holder for 34 years.
Although Jan had stage 4 cancer the past 12 years, she continued to travel and live life to the fullest with exceptional grace, humor, and courage. She and Ron traveled extensively, often with family and friends, with numerous trips to Kauai, Arizona, Cabo San Lucas, Disneyland, two Seahawk Super Bowls, many U.S. cities and national parks, their time share at Eagle Crest, Ore., and an Alaskan cruise. They also enjoyed annual camping trips with family and friends.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Ron; brother Jeff Busch (Mary); sister Melanie Weston (Craig); sons Chris Jackman (Tracie) and Derek Jackman (Becky); grandson Drew Jackman; sisters-in-law Gina Kalbali (Oskar) and Julie Loska (Sam); and nieces and nephews Katie, Brett and Annie Busch; Kayla and Corbin Weston; Cameron and Olivia Loska; and Ava Kalbali.
Special thanks go to Jan’s oncologist for 22 years, Dr. Carol vanHaelst of Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, and the wonderful people at EvergreenHealth Hospice Care. Donations may be made in Jan’s memory to EvergreenHealth Foundation, Kirkland, Wash.
A Celebration of Life party will be held at McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell, Wash., at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 8.