Obituary of Janice Kathleen Shearer

Janice K. Shearer

(1929-2023)

Janice Kathleen Shearer, born February 21, 1929, died in her home on July 27, 2023, at the age of 94. Born to Paul and Hazel Hitchcock in Aberdeen, WA, as a teenager she volunteered as a coast watcher during the Second World War. Janice graduated from Ocosta High School in Westport, WA in 1947. Over the span of her life she worked as a telephone operator and a junior high school secretary, but her greatest “job” was as a wife and mother.

Janice married Charles Francis Shearer on August 4, 1952, a marriage of nearly 60 years. After buying a home in Kent, WA, they had four children: Clark, Dean, Susan and Carol. Janice had early relatives who owned property on Harstine Island in the southern part of Puget Sound. She became heir to a portion of waterfront property, which included a rustic cabin. Her growing family enjoyed many pleasant summers walking the beach, digging clams, looking for oysters, and exploring the woods.

Janice was a natural leader. At a time when the public school district didn’t offer a kindergarten program, she organized one and hired a teacher. She participated in the PTA and never missed a school program in which her children were a part. The entire Shearer family were active members at Woodmont Christian Church, where Janice had numerous roles, including Sunday School teacher, deaconess, Vacation Bible School director and board chairman. After she and Charles retired they remained active in churches where they lived.

Upon retirement, Janice moved to Buckley, WA, where her husband Charles built a house in the woods. They later moved to Gig Harbor, then to Franke Tobey Jones Residential Estates in Tacoma. Janice was a member of the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine Drill Team. She was an avid reader and enjoyed playing bridge.

Janice was predeceased by her husband, Charles, and a son, Clark. She is survived by her son Dean (Linda) Shearer of Turner, OR and two daughters: Susan Shearer of Louisville, KY and Carol Dillon of Tacoma, WA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Burial will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Franke Tobey Jones Employee

Scholarship Fund, 5340 North Bristol, Tacoma WA 98407, or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield VA 22116.