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Janice Farrell

November 26, 1977 - February 26, 2013
Kalamazoo, MI

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Visitation

Sunday, March 3, 2013
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Service

Monday, March 4, 2013
11:00 AM EST
St. Monica Catholic Church
534 West Kilgore Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 345-4389

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Janice Farrell Fund
C/O Betzler - 6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900

Centrica Care Navigators
7100 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 345-0273
Driving Directions
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Schafer's Flowers Inc.
3274 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(800) 760-7050
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Janice Farrell’s life on this earth has ended…taken from her loved ones much too early. She was a vibrant, loving, and gentle woman who brought sparkle into the world around her. Being a mother seemed to be a role that was tailor made just for Janice as she embraced everything about nurturing and caring for her children with ease. She lived to care for her husband and children, loving them each in their own unique way. Life will never be the same without Janice here, but the footprint she leaves behind is deeply embedded in the sands of time. The lives of countless others are forever changed because of her love.

It was in 1977 that a young couple from Holland, Michigan, welcomed a baby girl into their hearts and home on November 26th. Baby Janice was the middle of three children born to her parents, Brian and Sally Simonson. She was a delightful girl right from the start like a ray of sunshine spreading warmth to the world around her. Janice uncovered her creative side as a young girl who loved art and singing with dreams of becoming a singer one day. She was always drawn to the Garfield character from the comic strip, and she was always the last one out of the water whether at the family pool or the beach. One of her favorite past times was watching horror movies for hours on end! Janice loved all four seasons that Michigan offers, however Autumn was her favorite season.

From an early age Janice really enjoyed life. She was an attentive friend , always making time to be with those who meant so much to her. Janice was a student at West Ottawa schools where she played the flute in the band and was on the basketball team in middle school. Playing video games was another favorite activity.

Janice worked at various places in the Holland area as a teenager, which included a job as a dutch dancer, and as a server at numerous restaurants in the Holland area. She had an artistic flair and her abstract paintings had a surreal quality. Janice belonged to various clubs where she was blessed with many true friends. She also liked going to parties and out for an evening of dancing.

After graduating from high school in 1996, Janice furthered her studies at Western Michigan University where she earned her degree in psychology in 2001. She continued her studies , earning a master’s degree in orientation and mobility, which qualified her to work with special needs children.

With her education behind her Janice moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she worked with blind students of all ages through Milwaukee Public Schools. After four years, she returned to Michigan to begin a new chapter in a love story with a man whom she met in 1999. His name was Andrew Farrell, whom she met through mutual friends at a party. They shared the same love for music and began officially dating in February of 2000. With a desire to establish a life together, Janice and Andrew were married on July 29, 2005. The newlyweds enjoyed a honeymoon in Mexico, but were anxious to return home to Kalamazoo and begin their new lives together on Homecrest Street. Janice worked for ROI, a photography studio, and was a medical transcriptionist at home. She had plans to return to her field of expertise at some time in her near future. As two very social people, Janice and Andy were always active. Among their favorite activities was attending live music concerts of their favorite bands.

Otis, the 150 pound St. Bernard became their first “baby” three weeks after their marriage and he was indeed a family member and always included in their family Christmas picture.

On November 23, 2008 after an 18 hour long labor, Janice and Andy were blessed with the birth of their son Rowan. The birth of their daughter, Iris on May 18, 2012 occurred after a short 25 minutes labor!

Her children were everything to her and she only wished the best for them. Rowan was “attached to the hip” and numerous times you could catch them playing hockey in the driveway, or baseball in the yard. There were frequent trips to the beach, and to Sweetwater's' for yummy donuts.

Janice loved to decorate her home and enjoyed cooking and experimenting with new recipes she found on her favorite cooking shows on t.v. She liked a good beer and margarita at times.

Throughout her life, Janice was a woman of many interests. She loved snowboarding and enjoyed it both in Michigan and Colorado.

Whether she was finding just the perfect greeting card for family or friends, taking in a concert with Andy, or playing on the floor with children, Janice taught us that happiness is not found in material things we possess, but in the love we share with others. She was a courageous, gentle, and laid back woman who touched the world around her in a significant way. Janice will be dearly missed while her memory is forever cherished.

Janice Farrell lost her 6 month courageous battle with cancer February 26, 2013. Please visit Lifestorynet. to learn more about Janice and archive a favorite memory. You are invited to visit with her family and friends while sharing food and refreshments Sunday, March 3rd from 4:00-8:00 at Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo (6080 Stadium Drive: 375-2900) Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 4th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Monica Catholic Church (534 West Kilgore Rd). Following the mass, food and fellowship will be shared in the church hall. Then a reception will take place at Bell's Eccentric Cafe'. Janice was preceded in death by her grandparents and her mother-in-law, Jane Farrell. She is survived by the loves of her life, her husband Andy, her 4 year old son Rowan and 9 month old daughter Iris. Also her parents: Brian (Gloria) Simonson and Sally (John) Dalke; 2 sisters: Jennifer (Rudy) Wahlers and Julie (Chad) Merryman, her father-in-law, Fr. Larry Farrell; sister and brother-in-law: Maura (Dave) Kunz and Larry Jr. (Jennifer) Farrell; 7 nieces and nephews, Isaac, Daina and Maggie Merryman; Maggie and Aidan Farrell, Keeghan and Karley Wahlers; several step siblings and step nieces and nephews; and her children's babysitter, Marilyn Fish.

Memorial contributions may be made for her children’s education fund in care of the “Janice Farrell Fund” or Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.

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