Janice Ann Cusick

Janice Ann Cusick always said she knew exactly how she was going to go: “My grandkids will pull the plug on my life support just to charge their phones.” While she actually passed away on 4-20, at the age of 73, after a brief battle with cancer, she often wished that, at the time of her passing, people would say, “I didn’t even know she was sick!” Such was the case.

But Janice’s memory won’t be defined by her death; it will be defined by her sharp wit, her stubborn fight for life, and a fiery spirit that will prove she's a legend. A proud graduate of Presentation Academy, Janice didn’t just walk through her seventy-three years—she entertained her way through them. Her philosophy was simple: if life gives you lemons, promptly mix them with some Very Old Barton and enjoy them with a good laugh.

Janice was truly one of a kind. Growing up, she was the fierce protector of her younger brothers. Whenever Gary would come home crying, her mother Rita would send Janice out to beat up whichever boy was picking on him. That toughness followed her to Ford Motor Company, from where she retired and was famously 30 minutes early every single day.

Beneath the punctuality, however, was a world-class practical joker who loved crude humor and the writings of Erma Bombeck. Her home was a gallery of her humor: trees with added faces, a pig on a swing, and her "fly-proof" trick of pennies hanging by the door next to a sign that read, “There’s no place like home.” Janice leaves behind a legacy of laughter, immense love, and a few plastic roaches.

The Queen of the "Long Con"

If you visited her beautiful garden around Derby time, she’d invite you to admire her lilies. She’d wait for the perfect moment of sincere admiration to drop the punchline: “Can’t even tell they’re fake!” before cackling at your reaction to the plastic flowers she’d stuck in the ground to replace the ones that didn't survive the winter.

She lived for the "one-up." Whether she was sending her daughter up a ladder to put a rival political sign on a friend's roof or racing unsuspecting Mustangs on the expressway while Jennette and Christy held on for dear life, Janice was fearless.

A Legacy of Joy and Resilience

Janice surrounded herself with a "chosen family," celebrating together at the UofL Women’s Basketball team, attending every game–unless tip-off was past her 7:00 PM bedtime. After retirement, she enjoyed country line dancing with friends, she even organized a group of women she called her “Dancing Girls” , a line-dancing troupe (the encore dancers) of retired women performing for nursing homes or shaking their hips to “The Witches” song. The smile on Janice’s face was the biggest in the room.

Her life was full of "more the merrier" moments, like the legendary trips to a tiny two-bedroom lake house packed with 15 friends. It’s a wonder the deck never fell in with so many women line-dancing on it at once. Janice was an amazing fighter; after beating cancer once already in 1999, she refused to miss the annual lake trip, heading straight there after surgery. She will forever be memorialized by her handprint on the wall.

She often spoke of how proud she was of her two beautiful daughters, and how they both achieved and exceeded her dreams for them. She had such pride posting videos of her talented grandchildren. She loved showing off Kamryn and Kevin's amazing athleticism on the volleyball court, and posting videos of Brayden and Aria's incredible musical talent. She cheered them on the court and stood applause after their musical production. She will always be their biggest fan.

Mom, we hope you’re up there giving them hell and making everyone laugh as hard as you made us laugh. You were one of a kind, and honestly, the world feels a little quieter without you—but our hearts are a lot louder for having known you.

Family and Farewell

Janice is survived by her devoted wife, LuAnn Tandy; her children, Jennette (John) Pryor and Christy Markert (Eric Ketterer); and her cherished grandchildren, Kamryn, Kevin, Brayden, Aria.

She is also survived by her brothers Steve (Jean) Cusick, Gary (Deb) Cusick, and Ken (Rhonda) Cusick, and joins her parents, Maurice “Kaiser” and Margaret “Rita” Cusick, for what is surely a heavenly happy hour.

Celebration of Life Details

Janice’s Celebration of Life will be held at the Arch L. Heady - Cralle Funeral Home located at 2428 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206. Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 28th from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm and Wednesday, April 29th from 10:00 to 11:00 am. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am at the funeral home with burial following at Cave Hill Cemetery.

Janice lived with humor, strength, and a love that reached far beyond family ties. She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and quoted often. Anyone who knew her surely has a "Janice story" to tell. We encourage everyone to share the laughter and write your favorite memories on this page. In honor of Janice, please bring your favorite story to share—bonus points if it’s inappropriate enough to make her proud. It is the best way to celebrate her life and allow her to continue to live on for many years to come.

Instead of asking us how we are doing, we invite you to tell us a Janice story of your own. Mom wanted her life to be celebrated, not mourned, so let's get together and continue to share a laugh with Mom.