Janice Beth Teplitz

Janice Beth Teplitz passed away on March 26, 2023. She was born on October 4, 1946, in Detroit, MI. Daughter of parents Harold L. Dobrikin (1919-1986) and Malva Dobrikin (nee Horwitz) (1923-2009). Jan was preceded in death by her husband Allen R. Teplitz(1941-2003) and is survived by her beloved sister Sandra Dobrikin-Levitt, her children Jennifer Keller-Verdonk (Edward Verdonk), Kevin Keller ( Molly Purcell-Keller), adored grandchildren Hannah and Nathan Verdonk, nieces Aimee and Susie Levitt, step children Debbie, Jason, and Michelle Teplitz, and last but not least, Jan’s beloved dog Nicky.

Jan was a bright and independent child who loved to dance and sing. She became a big sister to Sandy in 1950 and soon afterward, the Dobrikin family moved from Detroit, MI to Chicago, IL, and finally settled in Highland Park, IL.

A good student (when not in math class), Jan loved to read and enjoyed spending time with her friends. In high school, Jan was active as a member of the choir, an editor for the school newspaper, and served as president of the “Highland Park High School Drama Club.” During this time, Jan also began to sneak pilfered cigarettes from her mother’s purse and some makeup into her book bag, which she would apply in the girls’ bathroom before the school day began. This process would then be reversed before heading back home at the end of the school day, as though nothing were amiss, and her parents were none the wiser.

When dropped off for her freshman year at the University of Illinois, Jan settled into her dorm room, purchased a pack of cigarettes, and stuck out her thumb to hitch a ride. Jan loved the freedom and independence that college life offered. During this time she found her political voice and began to actively protest for civil rights. She also started dating a young man who was not Jewish. America was headed for a tailspin, but before she could “turn on, tune in, and drop out,” Jan became a wife to Keith Keller, and then mother to her daughter Jenny.

The next decade was a whirlwind. Jan continued to use her political voice. This time, to protest the Vietnam War. When she bundled up her baby and took her on a protest march, Jan was quickly reminded that her husband was an Air Force pilot, and the optics were not good. As a result, Jan took a break from public protesting. She also quit smoking. Jan, Keith, and Jenny moved back to the Chicago area. The family was joyously made complete by the birth of Kevin “Moose” Keller. Giving birth to a 10lb 4oz baby boy made Jan a maternity ward celebrity. She often mentioned that she was surprised to have been the youngest woman in the maternity ward at the age of thirty. The times, they were a changin’.

And change they did. Jan’s activism moved closer to home when she became a member, then president of the District 102 School Board in Buffalo Grove, IL. Jan also earned an MA in Marketing Communications, while continuing to raise her kids. Jan then made a difficult decision, and transitioned to the role of a single mom, which was not for the faint of heart. Being the sole support of her children accelerated her return to the workforce, where she quickly rose from entry level positions to the senior executive team in multiple organizations.

Jan was due for a break, and into her life walked Allen Teplitz. Allen was kind and loving, and he encouraged Jan to take risks and believe in herself again. The two got married and blended their families, so Jan excitedly welcomed Debbie, Jason, and Michelle into her heart. Jan and Allen loved to cook, travel, and laugh together. They also became grandparents with the births of Hannah and Nathan. Such “nachas!” They were married for fourteen years before Allen passed away and Jan became a widow.

Jan always marveled at how monumental changes in her life always seemed to occur on her milestone birthdays; her first pregnancy at 20, the birth of another child at 30, divorced at 40, a first time grandmother at 50, a widow at 60. So why not sell her house and drive across the country with two crazy pets, start a new business, and a new life in Georgetown, TX when she turned 70?

The move to Sun City was one of the best decisions that Jan ever made, marking an amazing final chapter in her life. While there, Jan made a multitude of friends and quickly got involved in her new community. Between games of mahjong, Jan made time to solve everyone’s technological problems, chauffeured her friends to doctor appointments, and enjoyed many celebrations with her girls. Jan was Co- President of Havurah, where she occasionally conducted services. Jan continued her activism by bringing women together. Before her death, Jan harkened back to the days of burning her bras and marching for equal rights, by starting a sisterhood, which included 70 women at their first meeting. Jan was loved by all and will be deeply missed.

A memorial service for friends and family will be held on Sunday, April 2 at 11:00a.m. The Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home is located at 2900 Williams Dr., Georgetown, TX 38628.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Congregation Havurah Shalom at chstx.org or the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give?form=FUNQCSERKQD&sc_camp=74BDCAFF54BB490B8E37C664AE727101

Instructions for Havurah Donations:

Click on the "Support Us" button, use the drop down menu for "Non-Member Donations," and enter your email address, any dollar amount and quantity is "1". Choose general donations and fill in special instructions that it is in Jan's memory and submit.

If you would prefer to use a check you can mail donations made out to Congregation Havurah Shalom to our address:

Congregation Havurah Shalom

1530 Sun City Blvd., Ste. 120, PMB 406

Georgetown, TX 78633

Please include your email address for an acknowledgement.