Janice Smith

Janice Mae Smith, age 78, of Madison passed away on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Oakwood Village Nursing Home.  She was born on May 19, 1944, in Watertown, WI, the daughter of Arnold A. and Jeanette (Lehmann) Behling.

Janice received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1966, majoring in English.  Janice loved teaching and working with children.  When she moved to Claremont, California after college, she taught English in the public school system there.  Janice loved California, reveling in the warm weather and in a community so different than she had left behind in the Midwest.

Shortly after giving birth to her son Todd in 1970, Janice became severely ill and began using a wheelchair.  Her lifelong disability did not hold her back.  She earned her master’s degree in English from the University of La Verne, in La Verne, California.  Janice enjoyed her life in California and spent countless evenings on the front porch with her son, watching the sunset and looking at the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Baldy.

Eventually it was time to move closer to family, and in 1977 Janice moved back to Waukesha, Wisconsin.  There she continued to teach reading at the St. Rose Residential School in Milwaukee. She enjoyed gardening with her aunt Phyllis, talking on the phone with her sister Sandy, and spending weekends at area parks and ponds, grilling hot dogs and looking at the water.  Janice was eternally grateful for her loving parents, who cared and provided for her throughout her life.  Janice was a proud feminist, and always recognized and helped the less fortunate persons in her community.

Mostly, though, Janice was devoted to her son, who supported her through the ups and downs of her life, as well as her daughter-in-law and grandchildren.  She took great joy in school events, family holidays and celebrations.  Janice moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 2004 and was a terrific grandmother to her four grandchildren.  Janice was very grateful to the caring community of Oakwood Village, who became her friends and companions in the final years of her life.

Janice had the strength and resolve to overcome countless new medical issues throughout her life, but never stopped putting her small family first.  Despite a life filled with challenges, Janice never complained or spoke an ill word toward anyone.  Her kindness and selflessness will be remembered and treasured by everyone who knew her.

Janice is survived by her son, Todd G. Smith (Jill Bradshaw) of Middleton; grandchildren, Samuel, Sydney, Avery, and Allison Smith, and sister Sandra (Ron) Roban of East Troy, WI.    She is preceded in death by her parents.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 7 at OAKWOOD VILLAGE-WEST RESURRECTION CHAPEL, 6201 Mineral Point Rd., Madison at 10 am with a service to follow at 11 am.   Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Watertown, WI.   In lieu of flowers, memorials in Janice’s name may be made to the Madison Reading Project ( https://www.madisonreadingproject.com/ ) or The Oakwood Foundation ( https://www.oakwoodfoundationinc.org ).

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road  Madison

(608) 238-3434