Janice Kay (Davies) Hansen

Jan was born in Oakland, California, the youngest daughter of two girls Thomas and Lillian Davies. She was a bright and active child and enjoyed many activities. She learned to swim at an early age and enjoyed many summer days in the pool of their Oakland neighbor. She enjoyed bowling and went with her parents when they played in their bowling league. Jan appreciated the frequent outings her family took to San Francisco. Camping was a favorite summer pastime, and the family enjoyed many trips to the great outdoors. Jan also liked to play cards and spent many evenings playing card games with her parents and sister. Jan loved to read and found time to read throughout her life. Jan also enjoyed music and as a child her Aunt Mary taught her to play the piano, which she continued through her entire life. She would use the classroom piano to get the student's attention to transition from one lesson to the next. Jan also played clarinet in the junior high band. She enjoyed it mostly for the social part of being with her friends. As a teen, Jan was a member of Job's Daughters. She was elected to go through the line and became Honored Queen.

Jan excelled in school and after graduating from high school in 1970, went to the University of California at Davis to obtain her degree in teaching. She graduated in June 1974 with her Bachelor of Arts degree. She went on to get her teaching credential and taught in Cloverdale California for 2 years. She was married in 1977 to her college sweetheart, Douglas Hansen, and relocated to Hillsboro, Oregon where he was living. Once in Hillsboro, Jan started teaching at Eastwood Elementary and then later at Brookwood Elementary where she taught kindergarten and 1st grade children. In 2008 Jan went to night classes to earn her Master of Education in Reading. Jan loved being a teacher and enjoyed running into her students and their families and hearing about their lives when she was out and about in the community.

A daughter was born to Jan and Doug in 1986, and as Brittany grew, Jan's love of teaching shaped her daughter's world. Jan shared her love of crafts, painting and music with her daughter which later expressed itself in Brittany's creative spirit. Jan played various sports with her daughter, and badminton in the street in the summer became a favorite evening pastime. Croquet on the lawn was another summer sport enjoyed by the family, and basketball in the street with the neighborhood kids. Jan also enjoyed sitting in her chair visiting with any of the neighbors passing by while watching the neighborhood kids play.

After 39 years of a wonderful career, Jan retired in 2015 so she could spend more time with her grandkids and family. Jan loved being a grandma! She continued to be a teacher at heart, and she and her husband Doug slipped in many fun educational activities when babysitting their grandchildren. "Wonderful Wednesdays" became a favorite of the grandkids and grandparents as a fun way to learn about the world around. After retiring Jan still enjoyed substituting and working in administration at Brookwood.

Jan will be remembered as a loving and devoted mom, grandma "Gaga," wife, and educator with a passion for life-long learning.

Jan's Celebration of Life will be held at Brookwood Elementary School on Saturday June 20th, 2026, from 1pm to 4pm. All who knew Jan and would like to attend are welcome. The Formal Farewell will begin promptly at 1:00pm in the gym, with shared stories, memories honored, and laughter all around. Afterwards guests are invited to participate in a photo booth, guest bingo, watch a photo slide show, enjoy refreshments, desserts and of course potato chips. In honor of Jan please wear green or Brookwood attire.

Donations may be made in Jan's memory to Brookwood Elementary and will be used to purchase new student furniture for the library and a bench on the playground.