Janice Orienne Harwood

Janice was born on the family farm in Saline on March 10, 1942, to the late Webb and Ada May (Bachman) Harwood. She grew up in Saline and was a graduate of Saline High School. She continued her education at Michigan State University and later earned her master’s degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Janice devoted her professional life to education, family, and community. She began her career as a high school home economics teacher, a role she held for seven years before beginning a long and distinguished career in Cooperative Extension. Over the years, she served as a 4-H agent in Sanilac County, Michigan, as well as in Pennsylvania and California, and later worked as an Extension Family and Consumer Sciences educator in both Pennsylvania and California. She retired in June 2002.

Throughout her career, Janice was passionate about helping families and improving the lives of children. During her years in California, she worked with specialists from UC Berkeley and UC Davis to study the food habits of Hmong immigrant families. In 2001, she received a grant from the San Benito County Children and Families Commission to develop a project addressing childhood obesity, placing her at the forefront of an issue that would become increasingly important in the years that followed. She authored Nutrition on the Bookshelf: A Curriculum for Preschool Parents and co-authored the California 4-H Clothing Leader’s Guide and Member’s Manual.

Janice's commitment to 4-H and education continued long after her professional career ended. Her generosity to the Michigan 4-H Foundation helped make possible the development of the outdoor trails and arboretum at Kettunen Center. She also co-funded the Ada May and Webb Harwood Endowment, providing college scholarships for Washtenaw County 4-H members—a lasting tribute to her parents and her belief in the importance of education.

Her dedication and accomplishments earned her numerous honors, including the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Affirmative Action Award, the Soroptimist International of Merced Women Helping Women Award, several awards from the National Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, including the Distinguished Service and Continued Excellence Awards, and the 4-H Emerald Clover Award in 2006. Her brother, Alfred, received the 4-H Emerald Clover Award in 2004.

Although Janice spent much of her adult life in California, she eventually returned to her roots in Saline, where she remained deeply connected to her community and local history. She was a member of the Pittsfield Township Historical Society, the Pittsfield Township Historical Commission, and the Saline Area Historical Society; she also served as Publicity Chair for the Rentschler Farm Museum.

Janice was fiercely independent, curious, and always ready to pursue the things she loved. A very avid Michigan State University fan, she was a longtime season football ticket holder and enjoyed attending games. She also attended many Final Fours with friends and proudly remained a devoted Spartan fan throughout her life.

Janice loved to travel and traveled extensively throughout the world. She enjoyed spending time at her homes in Cedar, Michigan, and St. George, Utah, making memories and experiencing new places along the way. She was also an avid golfer and had the opportunity to keep score for several professional golf tournaments at Pebble Beach in California. Janice had a lifelong love of animals, especially horses, dogs, and cats. One of her beloved dogs was her corgi, Pogo, and in recent years she was especially fond of her cat, Bebee.

Janice is survived by her niece, Susie (Jay) Harwood-Brown; nephew, Bill (Tami) Harwood; great-niece, Jaycie Brown; great-nephews, Zachary Harwood and Tyler Harwood; and her longtime best friend, Elaine (Roy) Pentilla.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Webb and Ada May Harwood; her brother, Alfred Harwood; and her sister-in-law, Marsha Harwood.

Visitation will be held at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 South 4th Ave, Ann Arbor, on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. until 12 noon. A funeral service will be held at 12 noon, with Chaplain Jeff Rhodes officiating. Burial will take place at The Harwood Cemetery near Saline, Michigan.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Silver Maples of Chelsea and the hospice care team from Arbor Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided to Janice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janice's honor to the Ada May and Webb Harwood Endowment, which provides college scholarships for Washtenaw County 4-H members.

Muehlig Funeral Chapel is honored to serve Janice's family. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.MuehligAnnArbor.com.