Janice Krusen

Janice A. Krusen, 83, a longtime resident of East Orleans, died on Monday, June 27, 2016 at Liberty Commons Nursing Home, Chatham, MA. She was predeceased by her partner of forty years, Gail Rainey. Jan grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, the daughter of Dr. Frank and Margaret (Borland) Krusen. She graduated from Mt. Holyoke College in 1955 and that summer came to the Cape, at the request of her drama professor, to be the lead ingénue at what was then the Orleans Arena Theater and is now the Academy of Performing Arts. She fell in love with Cape Cod and vowed to return one day. But first she attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and Lee Strasberg’s Actor’s Workshop. She then did graduate work in drama and speech pathology at Columbia University, where she was the lead actress in the first American production of “The Mouse Trap” at Columbia University Theater. She always found time to volunteer and it was working with children at a settlement house in Harlem that she discovered her passion for teaching. Eventually she received a Master’s degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Her love of teaching and the Cape brought her at last back to Cape Cod in 1964 to teach 4th grade at Harwich Elementary School. In the summer of 1966 she taught drama at the Orleans Theater and had the lead in “Gypsy” earning great praise in all her reviews.

Following a successful teaching career in Harwich, Jan pursued her interest and talents in the field of Parapsychology, studying with top experts in the field. She taught Parapsychology as well as Personal Wellness classes in the continuing education department of Cape Cod Community College. During this time people began coming to her for readings and guidance. She created and facilitated a series of workshops on self-esteem and empowerment focused on women coming together in community to learn to share and grow. There were scores of men and women from all over the world who benefitted from Jan’s psychic gifts and guidance, as their letters to her affirm. “Your strength, patience, wisdom and endless words of encouragement have given me so much”, one former client wrote after Jan helped her through a difficult time. “To see a woman live and speak always through love and not judgment is such an inspiration” wrote another.

Jan retired from readings and counseling in the late 1990’s. She then turned her attention back to young people through the Big Brothers Big Sisters, becoming a big sister at the age of 69, only after learning the Big Brother of the Year was 73. Five years later she was named Big Sister of the Year by the organization. She encouraged seniors to become Big Brothers and Big Sisters saying, “If I can do it, you can, and there are many children on Cape Cod waiting for a match”.

Of all her various endeavors in life, Jan was most proud and grateful for being able to bring together people in community and helping others reach their potential. She was also grateful to be a member of the closely-knit community, which she said was “like a family to me."

She leaves behind her beloved family and surrogate daughters as well as many dear friends. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com