Janice passed away peacefully on September 8, 2019, at the age of 82, after a long illness.

Janice was born in Lombard, Illinois, on November 14, 1936. She lived there with her large Italian family until she moved to California with her mother, following her Aunt Alice (mother’s sister). Her father, Albert Notard, passed away in North Africa while serving in the United States Army in 1943 when Janice was only 7 years old. She missed him terribly her entire life.

Janice graduated from Eureka Senior High School in 1955. She was introduced to her husband of 63 years, Gene Davis, at Morrow’s Drive-in where they liked to hang out with their friends.  They were married in June 1956. Janice and Gene have three children, Dianne, Ron, and Pam. 

Janice was a loving mother to her three children. She was a stay-at-home mom who made it a point to be there for her kids when they got home from school, most of the time with a snack ready. Home-baked cookies were a staple. She also raised her children to behave, only having to give them her famous “look” to correct any misbehavior. She also used that “look” on her grandchildren, which worked well, much to the envy of their parents.

Janice was also very crafty and made a lot of clothes for the kids and her girls’ Barbies, did ceramics, and various other needlecraft works. She also had an affinity for teddy bears and collected many Cherished Teddies and Beanie Babies during the 1990s and early 2000s. She tried to lead a healthy lifestyle, eating right and walking generally five miles every day until her health declined. She loved dogs, so at times she would volunteer to walk a neighbor’s dog just to have the company while she walked. She was a great cook of many comfort foods. Her youngest daughter Pam enjoyed watching her and helping her in the kitchen and remembers many of those comfort food recipes to this day, making them for her own family. Janice always kept the house and yard immaculate, forever picking weeds growing in the sidewalks. Pam’s friends thought of her as the cool mom, when she would roller skate with them and play games with them.

She adored her grandchildren and was so excited when her first, Rebekkah, was born. She Janice used to drive five hours to the Travis AFB area to Rebekkah so she could keep her at her house in Eureka for a week or two, even as a baby. Later, she also babysat Amanda and Dylan frequently, as they lived in the same town. They all loved her very much and enjoyed being at Nona and Papa’s house.

Janice was preceded in death by her father, Albert Notard; mother, Jessie Murray; husband, Gene Davis; and grandson, Garrett Kocina.   Janice is survived by her daughter, Dianne Davis; son, Ron Davis; daughter, Pam Kocina; and son-in-law, Jeff Kocina.  She also leaves behind 4 grandchildren: Rebekkah Wilson, Matthew Kocina, Amanda Davis, and Dylan Davis; and 3 great-grandchildren: Tiegan, Rosalyn, and Jameson.  She also leaves behind several lifelong friends who miss her.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the staff at Especially You Assisted Living for their loving care of Janice.

As per Janice’s wishes, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to Hospice of Humboldt 3327 Timber Fall Court Eureka, CA, 95503

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The obituary above was submitted by Janice’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.