Janis Suzanne Cheney

Janis Suzanne Cheney (October 28, 1951 – January 17, 2019)

Well folks, if you’re reading this, I have passed beyond physical reality and into the universal consciousness that manifests in the world around us – in the beauty and spirit of nature, every leaf and blade of grass, the rushing rivers, the quiet tidal pools. And then, the innate goodness of people (and yes, I believe that is true even in this confusing, even frightening time), and the hope beyond hope that we will save this world and our children will live fulfilling and rewarding lives in a safe environment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the journey of my life. Well, not so much the last couple years. Metastatic breast cancer, and the treatment there for, kinda takes it out of you. But even those months were made blessed by the care and attention of devoted family and friends. My gratitude and respect for them is beyond what I have words to convey.

For the curious or interested the conventional obituary details are as follows: I was born in a suburb of Boston while Mom worked as a nurse and Dad was in graduate school. We lived in Maine (Lewiston and Saco) until I was 10 – and then moved to Baldwinville, a small town in north central Massachusetts. College was the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a BA in Theatre and Speech. After a couple drifting years, I went to Korea for a year as a civilian employee of the Army. A  conversation with a co-worker led me, the next year (1976) to apply for graduate school at NDSU where I was accepted and offered a teaching assistantship. I arrived in Fargo in the fall of 1976 thanks to a college friend on his way to teach in Missoula. In many ways, it seems as though this was where a very rewarding adult life and career began.

Two years later, MA in hand, I found creative work at KXJB-TV as a copywriter. A couple years on a friend clued me in to a job opportunity at Basin Electric. I worked there as a writer for 3-1/2 years and it was there I met a guy from Mott, ND. After a brief excursion back to MA, we decided this thing was real, and I returned to ND.

In my off time during those years, I became actively involved with the National Organization for Women and in Democrat-NPL politics.

My job on returning to ND was as a staff member for newly elected Governor George Sinner – to my mind the last statesman we have seen in that role. Many of the colleagues from those eight exciting, challenging, rewarding years became friends for life.

Following Governor Sinner’s two terms, I worked in the ND Insurance Department for Glenn Pomeroy, another thoughtful, conscientious public servant. I created and implemented a statewide program training volunteers to provide counseling and assistance with Medicare and related insurances. I worked with many talented and dedicated people in all corners of the state – and again many remain friends.

My next grand opportunity came from AARP. I spent 15 years with this rather amazing organization and again left with life long friends and incredible memories. The team of folks in North Dakota with whom I ended my career there were each amazing, creative, inspiring, and totally delightful individuals. It was an enormous privilege to be part of this work with these special people.

My off hours interests over these years have continued to be (less visibly) political, women’s rights, particularly Reproductive Justice – thank you Planned Parenthood –  and the Unitarian Universalist Church, both in Bismarck-Mandan and in the region. Through each of these fulfilling activities I met and worked with people for whom I have deep admiration and respect and who I am honored to call friends.

Reflecting back, with far more detail than could be included here, it is hard to find the words to express my gratitude and appreciation for the opportunities I have had and for the people who have touched my life along the way.

And all that is before I have even mentioned what I consider my greatest accomplishments. These would be my 30+ year marriage to Stephen Crane, a wonderful, caring man who has been a supportive partner in every possible way. Neither of us would say it was all ‘wedded bliss’ but we hung in there and made it through together. And with Stephen, I had two daughters, Barbara Rosamunde and Johanna Carol. It is my great delight that they have always been friends as well as sisters and that they are engaged, compassionate human beings who, each in their own way, will surely help to create a more balanced and peaceful world. They are the lights of my life.

Speaking of sisters – or siblings – mine, along with Stephen, Bobbie, and JoJo, have been the rocks that sustained me through these difficult days. Visits, phone calls, cards, and all manner of other emotional and physical support without which I would have called it quits much sooner.

All in all – a great ride and though I would wish it could have lasted longer with good health, I am grateful beyond measure for what it was.

I am survived by my spouse, Stephen Crane, daughters, Barbara and Johanna, sisters, Judith Castelluccio, Reading, MA; Joyce D’Alelio, Wakefield, MA; brother, Howard Cheney, Westfield, MA, their spouses and children. On the Crane side, my loving mother-in-law Shirley, Stephen’s six caring siblings, their children and numerous, great nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bismarck Library Foundation at 515 N 5th St, Bismarck, ND 58501 OR the Central Dakota Humane Society 2104 37^th St. Mandan, ND 58554.

A memorial service celebrating Janis’ life will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, January 23^rd, 2019 at Parkway Funeral Services, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck, ND 58503. A reception will follow immediately after the service at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 818 E. Divide Ave. Bismarck, ND 58501.