Janet Marie Larsen

September 11, 1939 - February 12, 2025

Jan Larsen passed away on February 12th, 2025, following hospitalizations for her COPD and congestive heart failure. Jan was born on September 11th, 1939, to Mark McCarty and Estella Norton McCarty in Los Angeles, near Griffith Park. At about 9 years of age, her father retired from the Navy and the family moved to Dexter, Oregon, on some acreage where he intended to be a "gentleman farmer." That didn't last long, and they moved to Eugene and then Salem, and finally to Portland. Jan graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Salem, and attended Oregon College of Education in Monmouth (now Western Oregon University) where she attained her bachelor's degree in secondary education. She was the eldest of three children, with brothers John and James.

She taught school for a brief period, then met Jerry Larsen, a newly graduated Ensign from the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis. They became engaged after eleven days, and were together for 62 years. Their marriage was on very short notice because of the Cuban Missile crisis in October of 1962. Establishing their first home in San Diego, California, their marriage survived a whirlwind of 16 family moves and a wartime separation of 10 months in 1965 - moves that were required of them by first the Navy, then as "corporate gypsies" with PNB and later AT&T.

Along the way they had daughter Marcia in December of 1963, and son Brian in January 1965. There are 4 grandchildren; Stephanie, Ashley, Kellen and Taryn, and a great-granddaughter Jocelyn, 15. Jan was pre-deceased by her brother John, daughter Marcia, and her parents Mark and Estella. She is survived by her brother Jim, son Brian, all the grandchildren, and her husband Jerry.

Jan was an avid swimmer and lifeguard during her life. She attended water-exercise class at the Tigard-Tualatin aquatic center for many years, and was elected to serve on the newly-formed Aquatic District as a board director. For many years Jan was an active officer and member of Beta Sigma Phi, the social sorority, and attained the most senior position as a life master.

She will be hugely missed by her husband and family. A Celebration of Life will be held in the coming weeks.