Janice E. Carter

Janice E. Carter, 68, of Rockford, Illinois passed away due to complications caused by coronavirus on December 16, 2020. Janice was born on December 5th, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois then shortly after was adopted by her new parents, Harry & Helena Ritter. Janice had one sibling, adopted brother Carl. She graduated from Guilford High School and then furthered her education at American Academy of Arts in Chicago. Janice loved and was very proud her family of two sons, Gregory (Kim) and Geoffrey (Kelsey). She loved putting together the birthday parties for them with various themes such as pirate or 80's G.I. Joe. Jan was looking forward to see her son Gregory get his doctorates in history and was excited to meet Geoff’s daughter, her first grandchild Lola Mae, whom was born two days prior of Jan's passing. Janice actively shared about her sons on a variety of social media accounts, hand written letters, and Christmas cards.. Jan loved so many things and was very adventurous when trying something new to her. Jan loved to work, she retired from the Rockford Public Library but also had other part time jobs throughout her life at the Coronado Theatre, The Metrocenter, and her own art business which included creating restaurant menus, signage, fair flyers, and caricatures. Jan would always go above and beyond, using her artistic talent whenever possible. Jan loved history in all ways possible especially genealogy and her job working in the local history department. Jan was involved with many things throughout her life such as being a part of the On the Waterfront, First Night, Charlotte’s web, Winnebago County Fair, The Chili Shootouts, and many more events! Jan loved all forms of art, dance, theatre, music, nature, local events, reading, photography, coloring, painting, teaching, networking, fashion, movies, and of course eating all sorts of different varieties of food. Jan tried and enjoyed so many different recipes along her lifetime. Jan loved her many friends, many of which she had worked with along the years. Jan would always help her friends and coworkers in any way possible. Jan would love to participate in theme days at work and would put her creativity to great use in Rockford, her job, and her life. Jan had a wonderful sense of humor, was creative, sincere, supportive, reliable, caring, devoted, goal driven, and loved. Janice inspired and encouraged many others over the years. Janice will be greatly missed by her family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and Rockford. Memorial service will be held at a later date in 2021, details to come. All donations may be made to the Friends of the Library.