Janice Elsdon Guthridge Brannen, age 94, died peacefully in her sleep the morning of December 31, 2012. Her parents were Frank Grey Guthridge and Cythera Olney Elsdon Guthridge of Wilmette, IL. Having grown up in Wilmette (the Chicago Northshore), she graduated from New Trier High School and graduated with a BA Degree from Beloit College (WI). In 1941 Janice married Robert Kenneth Brannen (deceased) – her husband of 47 years. Her parents brought her up in the Wilmette Baptist Church/Community Church of Wilmette; she became a life-long member and raised her own family in the same Church. Janice remained loyal to her Tri-Delta Sorority, to which her mother and her 4 sisters also held memberships. With her parents and sisters she shared a life-long passion for fine music; in her youth she was an accomplished pianist and dancer, passing this artistic love to her children. Fine recollections included summers at her parents’ water-front cabin on Lake Michigan in Sturgeon Bay, WI.
After raising children, she directed efforts to volunteer work at Evanston Hospital (Evanston, IL) and playing bridge. The finest legacy she leaves to her descendants is demonstration of the enrichment that one gains with the enjoyment of fine friendships; such relationships commonly developed based on her quick sense of humor. She was a very loving mother of two – Jennifer Brannen Henriksson (deceased) and George Elsdon Brannen of Woodinville WA. In 2008 she relocated to Redmond, Washington (Fairwinds – retirement home) to be near her large family of descendants. She has four (4) sisters – Joanne Stewart (deceased) and is survived by 3 sisters - Cythera Moyer (Green Bay, WI), Fran Daniels (Willoughby, OH), and Genevieve Littell (Portland, OR). Surviving descendants include her son George, and 6 Grandchildren –George Henriksson (Tucson, AZ), Holly Henriksson Clark (Redmond, WA), Miles Henriksson (Kalispell, MT), Kenneth T Guthridge Brannen (Bothell, WA), Sean Elsdon Brannen (Woodinville, WA), and Charles W Brannen (Kirkland, WA). She was proud of her heritage and multiple grandchildren carry her maternal namesake legacy. She leaves 7 Great Grandchildren: Ashley Henriksson, Taylor Clark, CJ Clark, Cassidy Clark, Kelly Henriksson, Colton Jersey Henriksson, and Trelen Cole Fomonyuy Brannen. Most relatives lived in proximity during her last 5 years. She was a loved family matriarch who will be sorely missed.
Memorials may be offered to Make A Wish Foundation of Northern Chicago, 640 N. La Salle St. Suite 280, Chicago, Illinois, 60610.
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