Janice (Howard) Conrick

Janice was born on April 13, 1938, in Macks Creek, Missouri, to Muriel and Boss Howard. Growing up on a farm shaped much of who she became—her love of gardening, her strong work ethic and her lifelong belief in nurturing those she loved.

She later moved to Kansas City, where she met her husband, James Conrick. They were married in 1964 and shared 54 years together, building a life filled with devotion, laughter, and family. Kansas City remained her home for many years until she moved to Oregon in 2024 to be closer to her children. James preceded her in death in 2019.

Nothing meant more to Janice than her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother to her children Jeff (Nicole) and Jennifer, and a proud grandmother to Cate and Teddy, who brought her endless joy. She is also survived by her stepchildren Pam (Duane) and Tim, and step-grandchildren Rachel, Ali, and Lauren. Janice is also survived by her brothers Jim and Jack, and was preceded in death by her sister Judy, her brother-in-law Bill (Melanie) and her nephew Brian (Kristen). She was happiest when surrounded by those she loved, and her family always knew they were her greatest treasure.

Janice had an eternally positive spirit—she simply would not let others get her down. She loved to laugh and had a rare gift for lifting people up, often without even trying. Her joy was genuine, her optimism contagious, and her presence alone could make a hard day feel lighter.

She showed her love the way she knew best: through food. Janice could whip up a meal without a moment’s notice if you stopped by hungry. She was an incredible cook, famous for her fried chicken and her homemade jelly. If Janice loved you, you were likely gifted a jar or two, especially her famous jalapeño pepper jelly. In the summer, she was always prepared to make peach cobbler or fried okra any day of the week. Cooking for others was her love language, and her kitchen was always a place of comfort and welcome, where no one ever left hungry.

A service celebrating Janice’s life will be held on March 24 at Resurrection Church, located at 8412 W. 95th Street. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m., with services starting at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception at the church. Janice loved bright colors, and in her honor, the family hopes attendees will wear theirs.

Janice will be remembered as a truly joyous and happy person—one who loved deeply, gave freely, and made the world brighter simply by being in it. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the meals she shared, and the countless lives she lifted up along the way. Janice will be deeply missed by those who loved her.