Janice Louise Smith

Janice Louise Smith passed away from complications of Alzheimer’s. Born in Fort Wayne, IN and raised in Traverse City, MI she lived her adult life in Chicago, IL. A graduate of Michigan State University and National Louis University; she became an elementary school and fine arts teacher spending most of her career in the Wilmette public schools. Whether on the sunset or sunrise side, she was rarely far from her beloved Lake Michigan. A student and admirer of fine art, Jan never missed a chance to visit a museum or attend a concert. She also enjoyed camping, tennis, downhill skiing, and was a fan of Chicago sports teams. Her travels took her across the entire continent, as well as Europe, Africa, and China. Jan, a cancer survivor, was preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Isabell Smith, her sisters Joan Gospodareck, Judy Schaner, and Nancy Flaherty, and nephews Thomas Gospodareck and Scott Foster. She is survived by her sister Marjorie Foster, brothers-in-law Walter Gospodareck, Robert Schaner, and William Flaherty, nieces Judy (Stan) Jay and Amy (Ian) Foster, nephews David (Paula) Gospodareck, Michael (Doreena) Gospodareck, Michael Schaner, Patrick (Toni) Schaner, Sean (Justine) Flaherty, Brian (Kristi) Flaherty, and Brendan Flaherty, many great-nieces and nephews, and a special group of loyal and caring friends. Friends and family will meet for a Mass of Christian Burial, Friday, March 16, 2018, 11:00 a.m. at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 South York Road, (at Madison), Elmhurst. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1801 Meyers Rd, Ste 100, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 or Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N Clark St, Chicago, 60614. Arrangements handled by Gibbons Funeral Home, Elmhurst. 630-832-0018 or www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com