Janice Martin Boothe Broomall, 86, passed away peacefully at home in the early morning of April 14, 2018, following a three-year struggle with cancer. She was born on September 21, 1931, in Yoakum, Texas, the eldest daughter of Martha and Gabriel Boothe.
After spending her early childhood in a one-bedroom cabin on the ranch her father owned and tended, the family moved to a quiet pecan-tree lined street in Yoakum, next door to her grandparents. She graduated from Yoakum High School in 1949 and Baylor University (Waco) in 1952. After graduating Baylor, she moved to Victoria to teach second grade. It was there she met Lt. Les Broomall, a dashing young pilot stationed at Foster Air Force Base. They married on April 9, 1955, and three years later were flying off to Chaumont, France, with two young children in tow. From France they soon moved to England, and from England to Laramie, Wyoming, where the family grew to five. Moves and travels across the US and Europe too numerous to list continued, leading one relative to dub them “the nomadic branch of the family”. Through it all, Jan maintained an active role in church and Air Force Wives' Club activities, collecting antiques and souvenirs and friends along the way. On a second sojourn in England she visited churches around the countryside making brass rubbings of commemorative plaques from the middle ages. After 30 years of Air Force life, they settled in Austin but three years later moved to Cupertino, California for Les' second career at Lockheed. There Jan worked at the library, sharing her lifelong love of reading, and volunteered teaching English as a second language to immigrants from different parts of the world. Retirement brought her back to Austin but did not diminish her enthusiasm for travel. There were numerous visits to children and grandchildren in Wyoming, Washington state, South Dakota, Alaska and England; to visit relatives in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, South Carolina, Georgia, and around the great state of Texas; trips to Air Force reunions in Arizona and Nevada, and high school reunions in Pennsylvania and Texas. An active mind and love of education led to Elder Hostels in many of these same places. During her remaining weeks here with us, she was visited by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren from around the country. Just days after their 63rd anniversary, Jan said to her husband, “I don't want to leave you, but I'm ready to go.” She spoke with each of her children to say goodbye.
We didn't want you to leave, but go in peace, with our love, our blessings, and the knowledge that you remain forever in our hearts.
She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Les; her children, Bill, Cathy and Shari; grandchildren, Paul, Gaby, Nick and Lizzy; great-grandchildren Pasha and Shamon; and sister Sharon. She was preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister Marilynn.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 21, at 2:00 pm at Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Drive, Austin, TX 78731. Visitation on Thursday April 19 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, 9700 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX 78750. Interment will be Monday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, or to the charity of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at cookwaldenchapelofthehils.com for the Broomall family.
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