Janet Lee Stebner

Jan was born in Salem on October 25th, 1939. Her Mother, Pauline Curry, became a single parent shortly after Jan's birth. As a child, Jan was very active and early in life demonstrated a love of dancing. It was quite natural that she pursued that love by becoming a dance instructor in her early days, specializing in Tap dancing. Jan attended Bush grade school, Parrish Junior High and North Salem High School, graduating in 1957. Shortly after graduation, not sure of what she wanted to do in the future, she took a job in Salem with State Farm Insurance as a secretary. During the fall of 1958 she met her future husband, Bob, recently out of the Marine Corps, and employed by I.B.M. They were married a year later on August 22 1959, and were together for almost sixty six years. Their first child, Kathryn was Born the following year in 1960 in Salem. In 1962 they moved to Olympia Washington, where in 1965 they had their second child, John. In 1967 they moved back to Portland Oregon, where they lived until 1972, when they moved back to Salem. In 1973 Jan discovered her true vocation, that of being a Realtor. This was the time in her life when she really flourished. Her Overwhelming success as a Sales person was based on her smile, her winning personality and her unwillingness to ever compromise her integrity. During her business career, she was normally in the top 5% in sales. In addition to her success in Sales, she was very active in both Salem Real Estate Association, as well as the Oregon State Realtors Association.In the Salem Association, Jan was Realtor of the year in 1983 and 1988, elected as President of the Board in 1988 and a Director until 1999. In the State Real Estate organization Jan was elected as National Director, Treasurer, Vice President, and eventually, in 1994, became the President of the Oregon State Real Estate Association. Her involvement in various Real Estate committees and various Community organizations are too numerous to mention but one, in particular, of which she was very proud of was the "Give back the dream project". This was the brainchild and was spearheaded by Jan. The project helped twenty seven low income families in finding a home, after they were bilked out of their savings, by a scam artist. After retirement in 2001, Jan and her husband traveled extensively throughout the United States and Parts of Europe. She also continued to be involved in various organizations, including P.E.O., Women of Wisdom, Viking girls and St. Francis Family housing, all of which she loved and supported. Jan was known by all of her friends and family as a very strong and compassionate woman, with a soft heart for those who have to struggle. She had a very happy and rewarding life, with a wonderful family life and a multitude of friends. Hers was a "life well lived". Her death on February 19, 2025 was totally unexpected. After a wonderful day of shopping and going out to dinner, Jan peacefully passed at home while sitting next to her devoted Husband. Jan is survived by her Husband, Bob, her children Kathryn and John, and a grandchild, Jack, all of San Francisco. A Celebration of Life to remember Jan will be held on May 10th, between 1 and 4 PM at Paradiso on the Green, at the Creekside Golf Course.