Janet Ann (Pierson) Pierce

Janet Ann (Pierson) Pierce was born in Wilmington, Delaware on March 24th, 1939, and passed away on Saturday, July 15th, 2023, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She was raised on a farm and received a BS in Home Economics from the University of Delaware while helping to care for her younger siblings, Edwin, Sally, and George.  She met Raymond Pierce at the University, married in 1961, and set off on an adventure to Fairbanks, Alaska.  They homesteaded 120 acres while Ray worked at the University of Alaska, Jan taught home economics, and they raised three children under the age of three while living in a house trailer on the homestead.

Jan and Ray later moved to Beltsville, Maryland where they had a fourth child, then to Peoria, Illinois where they settled the family.  In Peoria Jan was active in Northminster Presbyterian Church and served as a Stephen Minister.  She led the local 4H club, was a member of the Homemakers group, served on the school board for the growing District 323, and attended countless softball, baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, hockey, soccer, and track and field events.  Jan is survived by three children, Scott (Jennifer), Jill (Dave) and Jay (Romy).  Her oldest daughter, Robin, died of a brain aneurysm in 1980.  Jan took special pride in her grandchildren, Jessie, Mitch (Jessie), Annie, Maggie, Abby, Liam, and Silas.

She will be buried at Mt. Hawley Cemetery in Peoria, IL alongside her husband and daughter.  A Celebration of Life gathering will be held September 23rd, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Holiday Inn and Suites Peoria at Grande Prairie.  In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make contributions to http://4-h.org