Janice Marcell Allen

Jan’s loving husband Richard, daughter Jennifer (Allen) Arnett, son-in-law Garrett, grandchildren Tatum, Greyson and Rowan, brother Richard (Dick) Zinno and his wife Mary Ann mourn her loss, along with countless other family members and friends who Jan embraced as family.

All who knew her will surely remember Jan for her brilliant mind, boundless energy, and insatiable appetite for travel and entertaining. Those closest to her know how she loved her big family, her church, the beach, foreign languages, Broadway musicals, parades, shopping, [only piping hot] coffee, black licorice, and just-baked bread. But greater than all her loves combined was her adoration for her grandchildren. She didn’t miss an opportunity to tell them and show them she loved them. She showered them with gifts “just because”.

Janice was born and raised in Providence, RI, and remained dedicated to her large, Italian family from the “Charles Street” Italian enclave and also from the mountainside villages in Italy that form the family’s “paisa”. Jan maintained those attachments, even after her move to California in 1970; and then, throughout her life. Jan cherished togetherness, and had a passion for sharing cherished family traditions. It was her way of recreating the magic of her childhood, for her children and grandchildren. Grandma’s doughboys and lovingly-prepared “Feast of the Seven Fishes” were her greatest gifts every Christmas Eve.

Jan was always a disciplined and talented scholar and musician. She excelled in academics from an early age, in both public and Catholic schools. There she developed skills as a pianist, translator, and classical historian. Her instruction in the hands of the Sisters Of Mercy and the Jesuit priests led her to a lifelong spiritual devotion and a keen sense of justice and service. By the end of her academic training, through conscientious study and determination, Jan embodied her high school's motto: “Certare, Petere, Reperire, Neque Cedere”, which translates from Latin to "To Strive, to Seek, to Find, and Not to Yield". She graduated Classical High School [Summa Cum Laude] in 1964, and Boston College [Magna Cum Laude] in 1968.

Jan trained hard to be a teacher and began her professional career teaching French at Barrington High School. On one short trip, over a short break from school, a casual comment led to a conversation, that led to a career change. Riding a jet to a new adventure, Jan was busy grading her class’ latest French exam. A stewardess (as they were named, then) looked over Jan’s shoulder, and said, “What you’re doing is amazing!” A few more stewardesses collected and “Talk to us in French!”, became, “Fly with us!” Janice finished the year teaching at Barrington; and flew away. Jan’s wanderlust drew her to a 27-year-long career as a flight attendant. Even after her retirement from American Airlines in 1996, Jan’s many “sisters of the skies” were among her closest friends. She was a proud and active member of the Kiwi Club, Los Angeles Chapter.

Flying contributed to the success of Jan’s personal life, as well, since it was during what she thought would be a temporary stint as a California-based crew member that she met Rich, her husband of 52 years. He shared her love of and dedication to family, and fully embraced his role as her enthusiastic co-parent, co-host, and lifelong travel companion. He always appreciated her fervor and worldliness, and how that enriched his life.

Never one to let grass grow under her feet, Jan became a business owner after her retirement from American, co-founding and operating Journey’s End Relocation Services with her business partner and dear friend. After successfully growing the business, they agreed to sell in 2015, but Jan’s time was a little too “free” for her liking.

Retirement reignited her passion [and afforded her the time] for travel and connecting with her distant loved ones. When she was home, she filled her days chasing after her busy grandchildren, volunteering as a Eucharistic minister at the church, as well as the local theater, walking with friends, playing mahjong, and hosting dinner parties.

Up until her sudden passing, Jan was a survivor. She survived the unthinkable for every parent – the death of her beloved daughter Kimberley in April 1991, at the age of 17. Determined to drive positive change in response to the tragedy, she lobbied for stricter private aviation regulations and became a bereavement counselor to help other families deal with the profoundness of their loss. She found herself fighting again in 2020, when she was diagnosed with lung cancer and approached it with the same bullishness she brought to everything. She was determined to win that battle, and she did.

For the last five years of her life, in particular, it was obvious to all around her that she felt some urgency to do and see it all. Despite pleas from many that she slow down, she hit the accelerator. Not a moment was wasted. Jan lived every last minute to the fullest.

For memorial service details, Jan's life in photos, and personal tributes, please see: https://www.forevermissed.com/janice-marcell-zinno-allen/about.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests the consideration of a donation in Jan’s honor to Saint Maximilan Kolbe Parish: https://stmaxchurch.org/faith-direct