Janice Rae Foss

Janice Rae Foss (Sims) was born May 3, 1932, to Foster Brice Sims and Dorothy Dean Sims (Anderson). She grew up in Blair, WI and met her sweetheart of 71 years, John Everett Foss, in high school where she graduated as class Valedictorian. She received her degree in teaching from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN and after graduating, taught first grade. She and John were married in 1953 while John was serving the Army in Fairbanks, Alaska. After her marriage, Jan continued to teach as a piano instructor, for her church’s Sunday School and as a public school substitute teacher, later reading to pre-school classes. She also worked for the University of Maryland Chemistry Library, the Library at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and for the Placement Office at North Dakota State University. She enjoyed traveling with John, her children and grandchildren and visited most U.S. states as well as the Caribbean, Europe and Central America. She wisely declined to accompany John on his many archeological adventures especially once she learned some of this travel involved mules, jungle hammocks, tigers and various other dangers. Jan would describe her life as blessed. She enjoyed sharing her home, adventures, music, keen sense of humor, and her faith with family and friends. She and John lived in Wisconsin, Maryland, North Dakota and Tennessee before returning to Maryland to be near their daughters. Jan especially enjoyed hosting family and friends at their cabin in Vergas, MN, on Ida Lake, where she channeled her true pioneer spirit and transformed the small space (initially without potable water, having to haul lake water up the hill) into a charming comfortable home for all. Jan also became an avid fisherwoman and often said life at the cabin was a completely different and wonderful life. Jan is survived by her husband, John, and two daughters. Pamela Masterman and husband Steve, who reside in St. Michaels and Gaithersburg, and Patricia Foss-Bennie and husband Bruce, who reside in Trappe. Jan is also survived by grandchildren Caitlin (Masterman) and husband David Wolf, Tyler Masterman and fiancée Kelsey Shalvoy, and Erin (Masterman) Orzell and husband Jeff, along with great-grandchildren Mason Everett Orzell, Madeline Elliot Orzell, and Adley Ann Wolf. Jan is also survived by her sister Sally Jacobson and brother Jack Sims. Jan’s was a life of wonder and joy and survival as she battled breast cancer, melanoma and dementia with bravery, strength, faith and grace, even humor. She spent many years paying her blessings forward and sharing her gifts through ACS Reach to Recovery, volunteering at church, her teaching, and brightening the days of everyone she met. Jan’s family is especially grateful to Colby, Ernest, Heather, Kelly, Bianca and all the wonderful staff and volunteers of Talbot Hospice House and to her longtime caregiver, LaTrisha Carter. These amazing people became Jan’s extended family and enriched our lives. A celebration of Jan’s life will be planned for a later time. Friends are welcome to make a donation in Jan’s name to Talbot Hospice or to your favorite charity, if desired.

Janice Rae Foss

May 3, 1932 - June 12, 2024