Janice (Jan) McFarlan
March 2, 1950 – Sept. 26, 2023

“Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those who I love, I can; all of them make me laugh.” Jan carried this quote by W.H. Auden with her always. And it was true. If there was a thread throughout Jan’s life, it was laughter. She learned it at an early age from her Mom and Dad, Nana and Grandpa and Grandma and Grandpa. That laughter extended to cousins, aunts and uncles, her stepdad, and then to lifelong friends and friends that she met along the way. She laughed as she told the story of how, in kindergarten, she spent half of the year in the corner for laughing and couldn’t stop the giggles while in the corner.

Jan was born in San Francisco on March 2, 1950, to her parents John and Marie. Her dad and mom moved with her to Eureka, where her dad’s family lived. Jan attended St. Bernard’s Elementary and high school as well as College of the Redwoods. Her first job was at the Snack Bar at the Sequoia Park and Zoo at 14 years old. She worked at the State Theatre, OH’s Hamburger King, Roos Atkins, McMahan’s and finally, for 31 years, at Humboldt State University. Jan left Humboldt to care for her mother after her stroke.

Jan is survived by her first cousins Geri and Cathy, her stepdaughter Megan, granddaughter Aurora, stepsister Carmen, other cousins, and many wonderful friends. Also her beloved four-legged companion, Paris.

She was preceded in death by all three of her parents (John, Marie and Tex), her longtime partner, Karl, and many dear relatives and friends, all of whom shared her love of life and laughter.

Jan requested no formal gathering. Please get together wherever you would like, and share some smiles, stories, and laughter. Part of Jan’s ashes will be returning to San Francisco where she was born and a city that she loved. The other part will be scattered locally in the ocean. So, the next time you lookout at the ocean, the Eel River or cross the Golden Gate Bridge please smile for Jan and know she is smiling down at you with Love!

Written by Jan.

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