Janice "Jan" Jeanne Maxson

On Sunday, June 13, 2021, Janice J. Maxson, loving mother, passed away from cancer at the young age of 66. Jan Maxson (Nee Barrett) was born April 10, 1955 in Woodstock, Ontario to Edythe and Albert Barrett.

Her dedication was to teaching. She spent more than 30 years bringing her special way of teaching to students of all grades, including special education students. She earned multiple degrees including a BA from University of Western Ontario, MFA from San Diego State University, MA in Education from City University of New York, and a PhD in Communications from the University of Washington.

Jan was a tenacious woman in all senses of the word. Everything she felt passionately about, she accomplished, whether that meant completing a 50-mile hike in the New Mexico desert, building a tiny home on her property, or learning comedy and performing at local clubs. Her incredible wit and laughter lit up any room. She loved time with family and her tight knit group of friends. Famously after a glass or two of wine, she would say, “Well I shouldn't say this… but I’ve been drinking,” which always led to one of her many insights. She also possessed incredible intellect, could recite long literary passages from memory and would dive into subjects by reading and annotating multiple books.

A deeply caring person, thousands of disadvantaged and homeless children received gift-filled stockings each Christmas through her non-profit, Holiday Stocking For Homeless Children.

Jan is survived by her three sons, William, Andrew, and Tom and wife Jenny along with her partner Doug Storey, siblings Kent, Elaine, and Ruth and multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at Butterworth Funeral Home, 520 W Raye St., Seattle, followed by a celebration of her life at her tiny house at 1802B NW 197th St., Shoreline.

To view the slide show, click here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TePrfqr_MLU6l-RSkqx8Q3vt2PYEA9jD?usp=sharing