Janice Westermeyer

A life that touched so many…

 Janice Ann Westermeyer was born on May 13, 1941 in Springfield, Missouri to Floyd Ray New and Alyce Louise Kepley New. She passed away on October 9, 2023 in Independence, Missouri.

 Jan was born with a very kind heart and a VERY fun loving spirit. She grew up in Oklahoma City and went to Northeast High School. She had a love for animals, especially horses and dogs. Growing up she often rode and took care of her Grandfather’s (William Edward New) very ornery horse. She loved being outside and grew to love gardening. Jan was a true green thumb and kept vegetables along with various flowers around her home at all times.

 After high school she studied at Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma. Jan was a hard worker and had many different jobs. She also spent a lot of time volunteering and serving food to those in need weekly. Jan worked at Home Interiors for several years where she made a lot of tight knit girlfriends. It was the Home Interiors group that gave her the nickname “CJ” for Crazy Jan. She eventually moved to Independence, Missouri to be closer to the Church. Jan’s parents raised her to love the Lord and that she did. Jan had a very close relationship with God and a ridiculously strong faith. That faith helped see her thru a lot of dark times. She was a fighter and a friend to all that met her. She loved her hometown team, The Kansas City Chiefs, and as hospital staff asked daily for the current date and current president her standard reply was always “Patrick”.

 Jan was extremely proud of her Cherokee Indian Heritage. She was an enrolled tribal member of the Cherokee nation, and even had the official license plates on her car at one point. Jan's paternal grandmother, Josephine "Fini" Colston New, was full-blood Cherokee. According to Jan, "Fini" reportedly married Jan's grandfather, William Edward New, a small, jovial man of Irish descent, "because she liked his horse!" As good a reason as any, I suppose!

 Beloved Mother and adored grandmother, Jan is survived by her son, James Ray Westermeyer (Barbara) Scottsdale, Arizona and daughter Janice Kimberly Westermeyer Martin, Miami Oklahoma. Jan held a very special place in her heart for her grandchildren Douglas Williams Jr. Connor Martin, Joseph Joy Jacob & Charity Taylor, Kelsey & Luke Westermeyer, along with many other loving family members.

 Jan is preceded in death by her immediate family, her Dad Floyd Ray New (DOB:5/25/1911-DOD: 8/29/1994 Fort Smith, AK), her Mom Alyce Louise Kepley New (DOB: 12/12/1914-DOD: 2/14/2003 Independence, MO), her baby brother Robert Ray New (DOB: 6/23/1942-DOD: 9/3/1942 Strafford, Missouri) and her youngest daughter Cassie Louise Westermeyer Taylor (DOB: 7/29/1967-DOD: 9/18/2021 Independence, Missouri).

In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation in Jan's name to the American Cancer Society.