In Memory

Janis Ellen Claypoole (Coss)



 
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07/20/10 02:24 PM #1    

George W. Coss (1964)

I would like to tell you a story …

Many of the thoughts that go through my mind revolve around lyrics to songs.  One of these lyrics, when I think of Jan begins….. 

Once upon a time, a girl with moonlight in her eyes,

Put her hand in mine and said she loved me so.

But that was once upon a time…. very long ago.

 

On a day like this we saw the rising of the sun….

All the silver clouds like necklaces were strung.

We spoke of such important things… we were very young.

 

Open hearts, nothing to conceal.

Every little thought was so exciting to reveal.

All our dreams we knew would soon be real.

                                                             Where did they go?

 

I can remember a warm spring day in Semember 1959.  I was on our porch roof helping my Mom wash the second floor windows.  I noticed a girl walking down our street; curly brown hair, with quick bouncy steps and sparkling brown eyes…. “Mom, do you see that girl across the street,... it’s Janis Claypoole and I’m going to marry her some day!”  My mom just smiled and laughed…. but she remembers.  

 

All through high school, I watched and admired from a distance, Jan there, just beyond my reach.  My courage, failing my desire to ask her out.  My brother Tim, who was in her same grade, would walk her to school…. she dated two of my best friends.  I waited and as time went around, I became more attached…. I was in love….


Good fortune eventually did come my way and when the time was right Jan and I began dating during the summer of ’65.  I proposed marriage the following Christmas Eve on her back porch.  Jan’s Mom and Dad were understandably, not so understanding.  But, we were young and didn’t have a care.  


On a sunny, bright, warm December day in 1967, we exchanged our vows.  We promised to love in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, till death us do part…. Our journey through life together began.  


We weathered the 60’s and 70’s, Jan steady and always there and me just out there somewhere.  Along came Karin, our bicentennial girl, in 1976.  Jan was happy teaching and being a “supermom”, deftly balancing work, home and her exceptional care of Karin.  Through school, scouts and dance Jan gave to Karin every chance…. Karin is Jan’s Masterpiece.


The years flew by and little by little we all grew and prospered.  Jan’s summers in Lavallette sunning, swimming, reading on the beach and playing golf became her passions.  


Karin growing and excelling all though high school and college.  Knowing that Karin was on a firm footing to begin her own life’s journey gave us great comfort.


Last year, as we moved into our new home, life for us held the promise of a fresh beginning.  Shortly after our move news came of a disease that some fifteen months later would shatter our dreams as it strengthened our bond.  

I tell you all this because it is our story, a story of realized hopes and lived out dreams…. A journey of thirty-five years, she was all I knew….


But Jan’s story has begun anew.


We all do move on.  My good friend Charlie recently reminded me that our lives here on earth span but a mere speck in time.  Compared to eternity, the difference between ages 50 and 90 is insignificant.  What is important is how we use the time we are given and how we can make a difference to those around us.


Jan’s life made a difference to each and every person who knew her.  Family, friends, students and colleagues, almost every one she knew has somehow been touched by her sensible, organized, funny, logical, cooperative, incisive, decisive, talented, practical and caring manner.  All of the attributes that we were taught that made for a good person are what Jan was about.  


With Jan, what you saw is what you were getting, no frills, no overhead, no baggage, no complaints, no excuses, no make-up, no nothing but the genuine article.  She was a pleasure to be around and gave endlessly of herself.  Again, as Charlie would often say, “the consummate woman”.


But, I really don’t need to stand here and tell you about Jan, just close your eyes, see her face, hear her laugh, feel her warmth.  You know her well.  Think of her strength as she battled these last months and showed us what courage and dignity were all about. 


That song in my mind when I now think about Jan ends like this….

Once upon a time, the world was sweeter than we knew.

Everything was ours, how happy we were then.

            But somehow, once upon a time…. never comes again….

 

But, the spirit and essence of Jan can come again into our lives.  Jan can be our angel, to inspire and lead us though the days ahead.    


Thank you all for your boundless support, for your extraordinary kindnesses and for your loving prayers.  These last seven weeks Jan spent her days and nights surrounded by love, in the constant company of family and friends.  


Janis passed on to her next life at sunrise, her favorite time of day, in peace, with the knowledge that God would look after her and with the promise that she will still always be there for us who loved her.   


In Loving Memory of Janis (11-20-47 - 3-25-01),

George W. Coss

Read at her Memorial Service 3-31-01

 


12/14/14 04:57 PM #2    

Helen Elizabeth Hess (Fisher)

My memories of Janis beging in Middle School (Junior High).  We has such adventures -- riding bikes out to Roosevelt Park in all seasons, taking pictures, sampling Nestle's strawberry milk, frying balogna, hiding from the gardner at the estate next door to her house.  Once her father made a swing that swung out from partway up a tree -- you had to climb up and jump.  Janis loved it.  I never had enough nerve to try.  My memory is flooded with such vivid recollections.  The world is by far a poorer place without her.  Those moments seem so alive to me that it is hard to think of them as gone forever.  I think that is why I am starting to believe in Heaven.  Next time I'll be jumping out of that tree!   
 


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