Janice Louise (Heath) Burnett, 74
Janice Louise (Heath) Burnett, 74, a resident of the Banks community, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, surrounded by family.
A private family graveside service will be held on Friday, Nov. 19, at Union Point Cemetery in Banks, Ore.
A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Glenn & Viola Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro, Ore.
Janice was born on March 5, 1943, in Sandpoint, Idaho, and was the youngest of three daughters born to Walter and Helen (Covey) Heath. She was raised in Sandpoint where she attended high school and graduated with the class of 1961. She went to Kinman Business College in Spokane, Wash., for one year following high school.
It was in junior high that Janice met her soul mate and future husband, Donald Burnett. They attended the Valentine’s Day dance as their first official date and after six years of dating, were married on Aug. 4, 1962. Don likes to say, “She chased me until I caught her.” They made their home in Moscow, Idaho, while Don attended college, then moved to Gresham, Ore., in 1965. In 1969, the family moved to Banks.
Jan had many passions in life, but the most important was always family. She was a loving and devoted mother to her children, but also worked at Gresham General Hospital and was co-owner/operator of Jandon Furniture, a company Jan and Don started and owned until their retirement in 1999.
She was very involved not only with her kids’ activities, but her grandchildren as well. She rarely missed home sporting events, concerts and plays, many times sewing costumes or providing her home for gatherings. Jan especially loved listening to her kids and grandkids play instruments and sing. Her great-grandchildren were also a source of joy and she loved sewing unique items for them. They were always excited to get something from GG! She started many fun family traditions through her theme dinners and holiday events. She would consistently put her spin on these get-togethers, whether it be dressing up in costumes, bingo games with silly prizes, scavenger hunts or even family crafts. As soon as one event/holiday was over, the house would be decorated for the next event, many times weeks, even months in advance.
Janice was a co-founder of Dayspring Christian Fellowship as well as Banks Christian Academy. It was here that she was able to fulfill another one of her passions, which was working with children and watching them learn. She dedicated countless hours teaching Sunday school, directing church plays and thechildren’s’ choir. She also loved teaching English at the school.
Jan loved to work outside, but was especially passionate about gardening. If there was even a glimpse of sun, it was rare that she wouldn’t be found working in her beautiful flower gardens. At times, she was so anxious to get out and going, that she wouldn’t even take time to change, but instead worked in her pajamas or robe! She enjoyed puzzles, scrabble and crosswords, even having daily competitions with Don on who could finish the Oregonian crossword first.
Jan’s passion for God, family, service to others, fun, beautiful music and gardens will be remembered, cherished and celebrated.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her loving spouse, Donald; and seven children; Pamela Burnett-Frakes and her husband Dan Frakes both of Banks, Danice and Cub Shulund of Banks, Alicia Fischer of Forest Grove, Ore., Abel and Nancy Burnett of Irrigon, Ore., Gregory and Ludmila Burnett of West Linn, Ore., Jesin and Mary Ann Burnett of Boise, Idaho, and Samantha Burnett of Boise, Idaho; two sisters; Marlene Rogers of La Mesa, Calif., and Myrna Deardorff of Redman, Ore; and 20 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.