Janice K. Whitlow

Janice (Owen) Whitlow was a woman with a warm heart and infectious spirit who touched the lives of all who knew her. She was a dedicated teacher and a devoted wife and mother, who consistently supported and encouraged her students and her family. In 1948, Harry S. Truman was President and the University of Michigan claimed the NCAA football championship. In Muskegon, Michigan, Eugene and Charlotte (Freye) Owen welcomed their second child, daughter Janice, on February 13. While Charlotte spent her time teaching, Eugene was a successful businessman who owned three well-known Muskegon businesses: Harbor Steel, Atlas Supply and Aero Manufacturing. After the birth of their second daughter Cheril, born a few years after Jan, Charlotte stopped working and decided to devote more time to her two girls and their older brother Gary. When she wasn't caring for her children, Charlotte was an active community volunteer, and could often be found helping others in need. The Owen family grew up in the Nims neighborhood, where Jan attended Nims Elementary School as a girl. She then went to Bunker Junior High School in Lakeside, and graduated from Muskegon High School. After completing high school, Jan attended Muskegon Junior College before transferring to Western Michigan University and graduating with a B.A. in History and Education. In 1970, not long after graduation, Jan went out with some friends to celebrate receiving her teaching degree. That night she met Allan Whitlow, a young man who had recently returned from serving in Vietnam. Al had come along with his buddy, who had his eye on one of Jan's friends. After awhile, the foursome left the party to head over to Grand Rapids-however their plans were delayed when Jan accidentally backed into Al's car! Naturally, Al was upset and after "a few choice words" Jan was positive that she did not care for Al at all. However, since their friends were still smitten, the pair ended up spending a fair amount of time together, and it wasn't long before Jan and Al fell in love. The two married on April Fool's Day, 1972 in Muskegon, with Al joking, "I just couldn't get rid of her!" Not that he would have wanted to. Al and Jan found great comfort in each other, and from the very start focused on building a strong marriage and life together. Though they were busy, with Al attending Grand Valley State University while Jan taught at Marquette Elementary in Muskegon, they made it a priority ask about each other's days and offer support to one another. Al graduated in 1974, and shortly after went to work at Shaw Walker. Al and Jan lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment above their elderly Scandinavian landlords. However, after the birth of their first daughter Heather in 1976, they decided that it was time to look for a bigger place. Jan loved being a mother, but hated juggling work and trying to raise Heather. Al's grandmother helped out by watching Heather while Jan was work, but it only pained Jan more to see Heather cry each time she left to go home for the day. When Heather was one year old, Jan quit working to spend time with her. Shortly after in 1979, Heather had baby sister Laurel to play with as well. The Whitlow's settled into their first home on Leon Street in Norton Shores. When the girls got a little older, Jan started her own preschool, teaching at her church, Lakeside Methodist, with Al's mother Joyce as her assistant. After a few years at Lakeside, Jan went to work for the Mona Shores School System, working as a preschool teacher for the past twenty years. Being a preschool teacher also greatly influenced the approach Jan took with her own children. She was a fantastic mom, always singing to them, and the girls would say later that, "We had a very structured and engaging childhood." Jan had a very close relationship with her mother, and wanted to have the same kind of honest and supportive relationship with her daughters. Heather says she appreciated that even from an early age her mother talked to her, "like we were friends." Jan never showed favoritism with the girls, and instead dealt with the girls as individuals. While Heather was studious, Laurel tended to be more social, however these differences were celebrated and both felt a sense of deep appreciation and love from Jan. Jan and Al also shared a deep love and a wonderful marriage. They loved traveling together, especially to play golf, which was Al's passion. Over the years, Jan had become a good golfer in her own right -mostly because she had to! Summers were either spent at the family cottage on Lake Michigan or enjoying the pool at the country club. Though Jan loved the lazy summer days, most of all she lived for holidays. She viewed the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving as a wonderful opportunity to get together with her large extended family, but her favorite holiday was Christmas. The wonderful thing about Jan at Christmas was her infectious spirit and joy that she passed to all around her. She decorated extensively, and even though there were a million bows, wreaths and lights, she'd always ask the girls, "Did you notice the new decoration?" Jan loved shopping, chocolate and her cat, which she named "K.C." for "Kitty Cat". In her downtime, Jan was an avid reader, and especially liked to pick up anything from Oprah's Book Club. However, she was not very fond of movies, unless they were about Christmas-then she bought and watched them all. She was also a big softie and could be found shedding a tear at the Hallmark Christmas movies as well. Janice K. (Owen) Whitlow was a woman with a wonderful sense of humor who was never afraid to laugh at herself. She was a brilliant caretaker, teacher and friend, and a wife and mother who always offered unwavering support. She will be remembered for her endless energy, compassionate nature, and most of all-her warm heart. Janice is survived by her husband, Allan D. Whitlow; daughters, Heather Whitlow of Washington D.C., Laurel Whitlow of Muskegon; brother, Gary (Charlotte) Owen of Adrian, MI; sister, Cheril (David) Ruddick of Rockford, MI; many close cousins, nieces & nephews and in-laws. A service will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel with Rev. Don Mathews officiating. Visitaion will be on Monday, 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions can be made to the Jan Whitlow Scholarship Fund for Mona Shores Schools. Please visit Jan's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory, sign the online guest book or watch her Life Story film.