OBITUARY

Jan Troy (Janice M. Troy, nee Tierney), died peacefully after a very brief illness January 19, 2022, halfway through her 75th year. Jan was a most beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, friend, school librarian, and world traveler. Jan loved and doted on her grandchildren, Thomas (6), Jack (6) and William (3), and felt that living 20 minutes away from them was about as far as one could possibly tolerate. Baking and cooking sessions with them, overnights with stories, treats and bubble baths were routine.

Jan loved to entertain and did so frequently and generously, making sure that everything was made from scratch. If a guest had a food allergy or a favorite food, it would be reflected in the menu.  She planned and revised menus for days before settling on the combination that would most please her guests.

Jan was a dedicated, loving, and enthusiastic teacher who spared no effort to serve her students. After 33 years of teaching, she attended a lecture where she heard that the library should be the heart of the school. Inspired, Jan discovered that the librarian was retiring and that she, at 55, could become library certified, if she were willing to drive an hour to attend classes every day after work for a year. Jan’s library became a treasure: the heart of the school. It was the first place the principal would show visitors and where students would compete to be named a Library Helper.

Jan and Phil, her husband of almost 52 years, traveled the world together and reveled in their past trips as they planned their next one. The pandemic canceled their 50th anniversary trip, but Jan was busy researching its replacement when she died.

Jan’s sons Stephen (Allison) and Brendan (Ali) were her crown jewels and she would do anything for them and their families. She went to extraordinary lengths to celebrate the special events in their lives.

Jan loved games. She could finish a high level sudoku game in about two minutes, played competitive bridge, and had Words with Friends connections around the world.

Jan left this world at the absolute top of her game. 2021 was a year of commitment to health and happiness for her. She challenged herself to the end and appreciated every moment.

Jan was the third in a family of seven children, predeceased by her older sister Mary Jo Collins (Ted) and her younger brother Michael (Sue). She is survived by her husband, Phil, her sons, Stephen and Brendan, her brothers Bob (Peck), Jim (Debbie), Pat (JoAnne), and her sister, Gerrie, with whom she spoke daily and whose counsel she trusted. Jan had far too many nieces and nephews to mention here, though she loved them fiercely and was greatly loved in return. She created the Troy County Fair for them and for years it was held in Minnesota to celebrate all their birthdays. To say Jan is loved and will be sorely missed by an incredible community of people is a vast understatement.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Book (https://firstbook.org/) or the Special Olympics (www.specialolympics.org). The Special Olympics is well known. First Book is a non-profit founded in 1992 that has provided more than 200 million books and resources to low-income families around the US. They have partnered with Intel, CDW-G and LEGO Foundation to close the digital divide with virtual learning. 

Because of the pandemic, the in person funeral service will be for family only. To accommodate all those who would like to attend virtually, at 10:30am Saturday February 5, we will live stream the service at:

 Join Zoom Meeting

https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/98209135320

Meeting ID: 982 0913 5320

For anyone who wants to stay in touch for details on Spring/Summer celebrations of life in Chicago and MN - and to share memories and photos for a special family memory book - please email:  janremembrance@gmail.com