Janice J. Cook

Janice Jean Cook (nee DeVine) passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at age 83 while a resident at the Congregational Home in Brookfield, Wisconsin after an extended and courageous battle with the complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Jan was born on March 7, 1941 in Davenport, Iowa. She was the eldest of three children of Ross DeVine and Thema (Miller) DeVine. She is proceeded in death by her parents, sister Carolyn Chambers, and brother Donald DeVine. Jan was the beloved wife of her surviving husband, William, loving mother of Lisa Walz (Stephen), and Laura Matson (Scott), cherished grandmother of Lyndsey Sama (Jeffery), Samantha Krosnicki, Alexander Walz, Kailey Matson and Jack Matson (Morgan), and proud great-grandmother of Aireana Garcia, Castiel Garcia, and Hudson Matson.

Jan grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa. As a grade and high school student, she won many Quad-Cities’ art competitions with her watercolor paintings. Upon graduation from Bettendorf High School in 1959 she was awarded a four-year art scholarship to Iowa State Teachers College. While in high school she was also a DJ with a popular KSTT radio program. Throughout her life she continued to love all forms of jazz, opera, classical music, contemporary music, and musical theatre.

Jan met her husband, Bill, while working as an advertising agency receptionist. They fell in love, married, and were inseparable soul mates, best friends and partners for over 63 years. Along the way they were blessed with 2 daughters, five grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Throughout Jan’s life she invested her time, love and energy into her family: they were the focus and pride of her life.

In 1999, Jan rekindled her commitment to her art, found a new medium and direction, and became a successful stained-glass steppingstone artist. She combined her love of nature and flowers into her unique original designs. She displayed and sold her stones in art galleries throughout the Midwest, did considerable commissioned work, and had much fun meeting people and selling her stones at regional art fairs.

Jan enjoyed seeing the world. Over the years, Jan and Bill traveled numerous times to various destinations in Europe, Costa Rica, Canada, Alaska, and the lower United States.

Jan was an exceptional person. She saw good in everyone. She was a woman of love, kindness, joy and faith, whose warmth touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her. The world will now be much duller without her bright smile and giving heart.

A private family memorial service will be held in her honor, and a Celebration of Life is planned for a later date. In lieu of any memorials or flowers in her name, her family asks that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.