Janice “Jan” Marie Findley, 63, died on January 19, 2018 in Odessa, TX. Jan was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2016. During her bout with cancer, her love, strength and sense of humor were a special witness to her character. Jan will live on forever in the hearts of everyone who was fortunate enough to know and love her.
Jan was born on December 21, 1954 in Midland, TX to James “Burl” Notgrass and Delma “Janice” Peterson Notgrass. She had two children, Jessica Marie Findley Fink and Robert Andrew Findley II.
She graduated from Permian High School in 1973. Jan studied English and Literature at Odessa College and The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (“UTPB”). She graduated from UTPB in 1978 with a degree in Education. Jan worked for the Ector County Independent School District for 33 years as an elementary educator, with the last 25 years at Blanton Elementary School in Odessa, TX. She retired in 2011.
Jan loved watching her son, Robert, run 5K races, watching Permian football, and attending track & field events. She will always be remembered for her deep abiding love for Robert, family and friends. Jan also had a passion for family genealogy and journaling.
She is survived by a daughter Jessica Marie Findley Fink and her husband Aaron of Pflugerville, TX; a son Robert Andrew Findley II of Odessa, TX; a sister Carolyn McConnell and her husband Craig of Roseville, CA; two brothers Nathan Notgrass and his wife Haley of Farmington, NM, and Steve Notgrass and his wife Terri of Odessa, TX; and Burl’s wife Laura Baker Notgrass of Stanton, TX. She is also survived by five nieces, two nephews and one great niece due in June. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Pastor Clydel Chapman and the Northside Baptist Church have been a tremendous blessing to Jan and the entire Notgrass family. The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Jan’s caregivers at Crossland Care and Hospice.
A celebration of her life will take place at Northside Baptist Church, 100 W. 50th Street, Odessa, TX on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Visitation with family and friends will begin at 2:00 pm with the Memorial Service at 3:00 pm and a family meal to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to METAvivor Research and Support Inc. The online donation form can be found at www.metavivor.org. You can also mail a check to METAvivor, 1783 Forest Drive #184, Annapolis, MD 21401.
