Janice (Wilson) Ford left us for a better place on Dec. 13, 2007, after a hard-fought struggle with cancer.

She was born in Oak Harbor on June 4, 1952 to parents Ralph and Eunice Wilson and remained a life-long resident of Coupeville. Her maternal grandparents were Capt. Lynn P. and Bernice Vane, who retired in Coupeville after an extensive Army career that included Capt. Vane’s service as the last commanding officer at Fort Casey.

In 1977, Jan married her “knight in shining armor” Larrie L. Ford.

After 30 years of service with Island County, she retired to better enjoy life with her family.

She loved all outdoor activities including hiking and camping, but in particular, biking, participating in four STPs (Seattle-to-Portland bike rides) completing the last one of 206 miles in one day in 2005. In 2006, she completed her first sprint triathlon in Chelan.

She was very proud of her accomplishments but most of all, her children and grandchildren.

In 2003, she was elected as one of three commissioners for Cemetery District 2, overseeing operations and management of her much loved Sunnyside Cemetery, a position she thoroughly enjoyed.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Eunice and one sister, Judy L. Adams.

She is survived by her husband Larrie; brothers Steve Wilson and family of Stanwood; Jerry Wilson and family of Friday Harbor; sister June Mazdra and family of Coupeville; children David Ford and wife Barbi of Covington; and Tony Ford and wife Kara of Newcastle; stepchildren James Ford of Tucson, Ariz.; Tina Lewis and husband Andrew of Oak Harbor; Deanna Straathof and husband Brian of Mount Vernon; Eric Ford of Mesa, Ariz.; grandchildren Anthony and Jordan Ford of Covington; Cooper Wilson and Layne Ford of Newcastle; step-grandchildren Ethan and Sarah Morical and Travis and Brittany Lewis of Oak Harbor; Chloe and J.J. Ford of Tucson; Jesper Ford of Euphrata and Josilynn Straathof of Mount Vernon. She also leaves her much loved dog “Barkley”

A graveside service to celebrate Jan’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23, at her beloved Sunnyside Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.