Janice Arline Gunn

Janice Arline Gunn died peacefully on April 30, 2011 at Integris Hospice House, Oklahoma City, OK after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born October 2, 1941 to Charles Milton and Alice Arline (Chambers) Yancey in Kansas City, Missouri. As a child, Janice participated in many church and school activities. She became a “big sis” at the age of four and relished her role in the family. Janice’s family moved to Kirkwood, MO and in 1955, to Nichols Hills, OK. Janice graduated from John Marshall High School in 1959. Janice lived in El Paso, TX and Tokyo, Japan from 1959 until 1963. During this time, she developed a life-long love of travel and was fortunate to travel to many wonderful places.

Janice worked for Prudential Insurance Co. and Trice Electronics. In 1977, Janice married the love of her life, Robert M. Gunn. Janice helped Bob with his business interests and they traveled extensively. Upon retirement, they moved to Paradise Hill at Lake Tenkiller. She loved living at the lake. While there, she made many dear friends and enjoyed life to the fullest.

Janice returned to Nichols Hills in 2000, living next door to her parents. She became a member of All Souls’ Episcopal Church, St. Anne’s Guild and Thursday Morning Bible Study. Janice had a deep and abiding faith. She appreciated the many visits to her home and hospital made by the clergy staff: Father Patrick Bright, Father James Easter and Father John Lock.

Janice was smart, funny, loyal, supportive, forthright and honest in her convictions. Her interests were varied. She was an avid OU football fan. She enjoyed reading, doing needle-point, oil painting and sewing for family members and herself. She loved to play games of all kinds including Trivial Pursuit with her family and bridge with The Saints and The Greens bridge groups. She was a member of the Ladies Music Club and immediate past President of The Greens Book Review Club.

Janice was so proud to be an active member of many lineage organizations serving these societies on both a chapter and state level. She believed in their ideals of patriotism, service and scholarship. At the time of her death, Janice was Regent, Isabel Hastings Dial Chapter Daughters of American Colonists, Chaplain, Oklahoma Territory Chapter Daughters of Indian Wars and Recording Secretary, Jamestowne Society. She had served as Regent, Talking Leaves and Oklahoma City Chapters Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a former President Oklahoma City Chapter United States Daughters of 1812 and William Rives Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century. She was also a member of Magna Charta Dames and Barons, Dames of the Court of Honor and United Daughters of the Confederacy. Janice was blessed to have made so many lasting friendships in association with these wonderful groups.

Janice was the matriarch of her family and delighted in organizing family activities. She loved her family and her family loved and will forever miss her. She was predeceased by her parents and husband. She is survived by her sister, Diane King, brother, Dan Yancey and wife, Jo, son, James W. Orchard, III and wife, Amy, daughter, Karen Snyder and husband, Douglas, grandchildren, Christopher Gunn and wife, Theresa, Bridgette Wommer, Allison Moss, J-Dub, Ashlyn and Chip Orchard, a niece, nephews and extended family members.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Dr. Alan S. Bock, nurses and staff of Deaconess Hospital and Integris Hospice House for their care and support given to Janice during her final illness. We also wish to thank her friends for their many visits, cards and care. She loved you all.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at All Souls’ Episcopal Church. Internment will be immediately following at Rose Hill Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janice’s memory to Oklahoma City Chapter NSDAR Legacy Scholarship Fund c/o Cheryl Atherton, Treasurer, 133 Barbara Dr., Edmond, OK 73013, All Souls’ Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 or charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.