Janice Elaine Levich

The daughter of Victor and Kaye Butnik, Jan was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 19, 1939. She grew up in San Antonio and returned to Cleveland with her mother and two younger siblings, Shirlee and Steve, following her father’s death. It was there that Jan met and married Ronald Lee Levich (d. March 23, 2001), the love of her life and her partner for more than 40 years. Together, Ron and Jan raised their three daughters: Vicki, Terry, and Julie in Cleveland and Pittsburgh. In 1977, the family moved to Woodland Hills, California, where Jan remained a resident for the next five decades. Once in Los Angeles, Jan and Ron founded and ran ALCO Products.

Jan had a deep love of learning and an unquenchable curiosity for the world. She traveled extensively and always with a sense of adventure. She marveled at the Taj Mahal in India, boated through the tulip-lined canals of the Netherlands, posed with penguins in Patagonia, explored the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, among other travels. Her desire to learn about the world and share those experiences with others was central to who she was.

Between her travels, Jan took classes in archaeology, art, and history, with a special fascination for Egyptian, Mexican, and Russian culture and art. She regularly attended opera performances and shared her love of opera with all. All the while, Jan enthusiastically participated in family events with her children and grandchildren. Gram showed up. She taught her grandchildren to howl like wolves, and deeply loved her dogs Skipper, Little Dog, Bearry, Teddy, Juneau, and Marley (plus Boo Boo the parrot).

Jan will be remembered for her insatiable curiosity, infectious optimism, sharp wit, and enormous heart, as well as her great sense of humor and infectious laugh. She will be deeply missed.

Jan is survived by her three children and their spouses: Vicki Motzkin (Neil Motzkin), Terry Levich Ross (Andrew Ross), and Julie Goldstein (Mark Goldstein); her two siblings Shirlee Cohen (Eugene Cohen) and Steven Butnik (Julia Frishtick-Butnik); her six grandchildren—Lauren Motzkin (Kayvon Raphael), Leah Motzkin (Gordon Silverman), Noah Ross, Katherine Ross, Shira Goldstein, and Rhyn Goldstein—affectionately dubbed 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; one great-grandchild—Roya Raphael; and Marley, her devoted dog. She is mourned by her extended family, dear friends, and the many lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to VCA Animal Hospitals or St. Jude’s Hospital.

A chapel for Janice will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Eternal Light Chapel, Eden Memorial Park. There will be a graveside service immediately following.

Eden Memorial Park is located at 11500 Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91345.