Janice Clark

Janice Cooper Clark, fashion plate, world traveler, and creme brûlée aficionado, died Tuesday March 2, 2021. Jan loved calligraphy, Japanese brush painting, and figuring out how to incorporate both raspberries and chocolate into every dessert. She excelled at creating her own private Zen Garden, never losing a Free Cell game, and making pets out of the rafter of turkeys that took up residence in her trees. She loved making gourmet dinners and won the family sugar cookie baking contest without exception. She loved animals of all kinds except for mice and bats; she didn’t like them at all. Late in life, Jan married Del Clark. They met back in the 60’s as neighbors living only two doors apart. They, along with their then respective spouses, partnered in a crime spree that overtook the neighborhood. No one was safe to leave their home unattended for fear of finding everything they owned neatly piled into one single room upon their return. This was a favorite antic second only to the placement of an old toilet into an unsuspecting victims automobile, or worse cemented into the middle of their driveway. As meticulous pranksters, they did have the decency to include the outhouse enclosure.
Jan had 5 children from whom she received an A+ on her report card as Mom: Her twins Matthew and Mark Voedisch (deceased), Allison (Kevin) Sorg, Erika (Craig Newton) Vaden, and Greg Voedisch (deceased). She loved her younger sister Cynthia (Dave) Demar with whom she maintained a very close lifelong relationship. She also had three grandchildren: Annaliese Vaden, Matthew Sorg, and Rohan Sorg. She adored them all and loved being included in their quest to find America’s best roller coasters. Even as an octogenarian, she would pretty much ride anything. No matter what the event, one could be certain that ice cream was an automatic inclusion if she was in charge.    ? Jan had an affable personality that was easily recognized. She received her associate degree from Rock Valley College and worked at the Title Underwriters Agency as Vice President of public relations for the majority of her career. Prior to that she worked for the Rockford Title Company and the Social Security Administration. Understanding that idle hands were the devil’s workshop, she began working in the evenings for Home Interiors Inc. where she earned top sales person several times. This had its perks. As reward for her impressive performance, she acquired her then state of the art microwave oven and color television. It also fueled her love of travel because she won so many trips. One of Jan’s favorite places was the Caribbean and she traveled there annually. Her favorite island was Bequia, a small island in the lesser Antilles to which she gained access by means of a local mailboat. She would arrive, braid her hair in corn rows, and immerse herself in the local culture. She took many Windjammer cruises on the ship “Mandalay.” She always talked about how much fun she had, but honestly no one realized how much until we discovered the photos. Passengers donned togas while beer was poured over their heads; seemingly without protest. Anyway, she loved visiting new places and was always ready for the next adventure. She also loved walking, hiking, sailing, golfing and being on and by the water. All of this was carefully scattered around her volunteer calendar. She was involved with Rockford AMBUCS, the Women’s Council of Realtors, and Habitat for Humanity where she spent fifteen years as a volunteer in a number of positions. She was also member of the Unitarian Universalist Church where she served on the board, the Memorial Services Committee, and in Covenant Group. She was fundamental in helping orchestrate their Trash and Treasure Sale and U.U. Auction; both annual fundraisers. Mostly, Jan was the kindest soul you could ever meet. She was full of adventure and curiosity. She knew how to live and she did it well. We will miss her beyond what words can describe. Godspeed Mama. Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 712 Windsor Road, Loves Park, Illinois, 61111. statelinecremations.com