Below is the obituary that will be printed in the Dallas Morning News as well as the Fort Worth Star Telegram.  Below is a link as well. Although we tried to capture Janis in print, no words can truly describe her essence.  To say we are heartbroken is an understatement but we look forward to celebrating her life on Monday.  

Janis Lynn Jolcuvar passed away October 23, 2022 in Fort Worth, Texas. Born in Orange, New Jersey on October 25, 1952, she passed away only two days shy of her 70th birthday. Janis graduated from SMU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. She was the ultimate free spirit who brought so much love, joy and affection to all of our lives. She dearly loved her husband of 24 years, Dennis Bishop, and her family above all, yet found the time to devote herself to so many other endeavors which many of us think we don’t have the time for, but should – literature, films, travel, creative writing, cultivating and nurturing her unique garden, and even her three spoiled feral cats that need time and attention because the rest of the world is passing them by.  

Janis studied the spirituality of humankind. She was a believer in self-realization, which gave her a unique insight and ability to peer into the soul of anyone she met. Her family, friends and even a new acquaintance were always welcome to her home and heart.  She filled every room with her infectious laugh and outsized personality and people couldn’t help being carried along in her joy.

Growing up and throughout her life, Janis loved stories from any medium. She could never get enough books and had an insatiable appetite for movies, especially from the 1940’s and 50’s.  In school she dabbled with acting, but quickly found her niche as a writer.  

During her long career, Janis was a creative force as a unique and incredible professional writer.  She did it all -- interviewing jazz musicians, composing liner notes, almost single-handedly creating the written work product for the Lone Star Film Festival, EarthXFilm, Elton John benefits, and many other charitable projects.  She had direct contributions to many of Dennis’ feature films and documentaries and was instrumental in the launch of the KD Conservatory Film School in Dallas, Texas.  

Janis’ deep empathy for all things artistic made her both muse and collaborator - a modern day version of Dante’s Beatrice for any and all artists that crossed her path.  Although her name was rarely in lights or above the fold, she was often the inspiring force behind these creative endeavors and events, including the creative talents of her husband and so many friends in the arts and film industries.  As described by her close friend and neighbor, American composer Cliff Eidelman, “Janis could describe my music better than I could.  I would play it for her and then I knew what to say about it when other people asked me what I was trying to convey.”

Janis was officially diagnosed with Stage 4 Mesothelioma in May of 2021 after experiencing undiagnosed symptoms since 2019.  In May 2021, she was given 3 months to live. But our Janis loved life and had more to do!  She and Dennis traveled to see close friends and family and to visit the places she loved, including trips to the Outer Territories of Canada to see the Aurora Borealis, to New England to see the leaves change, and to travel by car the length and breadth of her god-daughters beloved West Virginia.  Her last cherished visit was with her brother and sister-in-law. 

With clarity of both mind and spirit, she set her own terms for facing her life’s final chapter.  Cancer may have stolen her body, but her mind and spirit remained indomitable. She had a larger connection to the universe. Janis saw it, felt it, and lived it.  Even when it came time for her to pass to the other side, she told Dennis it was time, asked him to move her to the hospital bed, and moments later, the transition was complete -- peacefully, without fear, on her own terms, in her own home with her husband by her side, while enjoying one of her favorite paintings.  In the end, she could not beat the cancer, but she did force the illness to bend to her will, not the other way around. What an example she provided to all of us in her fight, and in her passing. 

Janis was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Betty Jolcuvar, and her brother, Paul Jolcuvar, Jr.  She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Dennis Bishop, her brother Howard Jolcuvar (Constance), sister Barbara Lipston, 3 step-daughters Jennifer Blumenstock (Robert), Melody Bishop (Dennis Kelley) and Natalie Martin (Brant), her cousin Susan Beasley, and aunt Mona Worthington.  “Oma” is also survived by her 7 grandchildren: Audrey and Rowan Blumenstock, Campbell, Davis, and William Martin, and Oscar and Ruby Bishop-Kelley.  There is great comfort in knowing that Janis’ free spirit is now looking over us all.

The Celebration of Life is on November 21st at 1:00 pm in the Marty Leonard Community Chapel on the Lena Pope campus, 3131 Sanguinet St, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. The reception is at 2:30 pm in the Modern Art Museum, 3200 Darnell St. Fort Worth, Texas 76107. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: A Shelter for Cancer Families (www.cancerfamilies.org), Water Keeper Alliance (www.waterkeeper.org), or the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (www.themodern.org).

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful and caring staff and nurses at AlevCare Hospice. No words can adequately express are gratitude.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/janis-jolcuvar-obituary?id=37945059