Janice Marie Staley

Janice Marie Staley, 84, of Gaithersburg, MD. died on Saturday January 31, 2026, at the Adventist Hospital. In the Lord, Jan found her Peace after a four-year battle with lung fibrosis. According to the Doctor Jan got the disease when she was a child in Baltimore. MD, and it only became a problem in the last five years.

Born in Baltimore, MD, Jan was the daughter of the late Francis Hynson and Ruth Platzke. Janice is the wife of Thomas M. Staley, Gaithersburg, MD, they had a beautiful life together 54 years, married in June 1971.

Janice was a member of Saint Martin's Catholic Church and a Life Member of the Montgomery County Fair, Gaithersburg.

Janice graduated from the University of Maryland in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, while working 13 years as a teacher in Baltimore City and Ann Arundel County. Janice's parents were unable to help her with her education. Janice acquired her education working during the day and attending classes at night in Baltimore riding buses. She had no driver’s license until 1968.

After marriage and building a new home with Tom, Janice graduated University College in 1987, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal studies. Then Working 17 years as a senior paralegal at the FDIC in Washington, DC, working on many of the bank failures that hurt our country at the time. She retired in 2007.

Jan loved her family, reading, and travel which lead her to visit all 50 states as well as Italy, Switzerland, Austria, England, Scotland, and France. Her family was very important, and they could depend on Jan for support no matter the problem she was very proud of them.

Jan loved sending cards and writing notes on special occasions like Christmas and birthdays to let her family and friends know she was thinking of them. She enjoyed the many times they got together for dinners and even taking trips with them. Tom fell in love with Jan when their friends took a camping trip to Expo 67 in Canada.

Jan was a beautiful loving person, and anyone who knew her would immediately recognize it. Her religion was in her open heart for everyone to see and feel. Her love was real!

Janice is survived by her husband Thomas, and sisters Patricia McNeice, and Deborah Dodril; her nieces Ashley Dodril, Susan, Laura, and Patti McNeice. Tom's brother Mehrle, nephews Michael Armacost and Jeffrey and wife Cindy Armacost. There are many more nieces and nephews. Janice and Thomas had no children, but were great, great aunt and Uncle who loved their families.