Janice Elaine Martin (Gabelein), a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cornerstone of her community, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on January 31, 2025.
Born on November 17, 1941, in Coupeville, Washington, Janice shared a remarkable life with her husband, Brian Martin, her high school sweetheart. They married on Valentine’s Day in 1959 and enjoyed nearly 66 years of joyful and loving marriage. Janice was a proud honors graduate of Langley High School and the University of Washington. Growing up on the family farm which shaped her love of cooking and sewing.
Her path was one of perseverance and determination; she worked tirelessly to complete her education while raising three young children, working and studying. She later forged a distinguished career with the City of Seattle’s Water Quality Control Department, where she contributed to ensuring clean water for city residents. Janice was deeply devoted to her community and her faith. She was actively involved in her church Coupeville United Methodist, the Progressive Club, and the Coupeville Historical Society. Her love of nature and the environment was evident in her passion for bird watching—an annual highlight being her participation in counting the Pigeon Guillemot.
Janice was the heart and soul of her family, radiating warmth, positivity, and unwavering care. Renowned for her exceptional baking and cooking, her kitchen was a sanctuary of comforting aromas, with her legendary Christmas Cookie Platters earning a special place in everyone’s hearts. Her love of gardening brought vibrant blooms and lush greenery to life, a reflection of the joy and passion she carried. An avid traveler, Janice and her husband, Brian, embarked on countless adventures in their beloved Westfalia camper van, collecting cherished art and memories from every destination they explored. Her adoration for Scottie dogs brought her endless happiness over the years, as she lovingly doted on them and regarded them as cherished members of the family.
Janice is lovingly remembered by her husband, Brian; her sister, Karen Lanphere; her children, Jon (Kim) Martin, Tammy Parker, and Kari (John) Svendsen; as well as her cherished grandchildren, Stephanie, Jessica, Jenifer, and Brian, and numerous great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Esther Gabelein; her brother, James Gabelein; and her daughter, Kristen Lee.
Her family asks that, in her memory, you take a moment to show kindness to others, plant something beautiful, or watch for the birds—just as she would have done.
