Janice Rodemacher Moore, 74, passed away in Beaumont, Sunday, May 26, 2013. She was born on July 6, 1938, to Mildred and Morgan Rodemacher. Janice was one of a set of identical triplet girls at a time when multiple births were a rarity. Her triplet sister, Joan, died shortly after birth. Henceforth known as “the twins”, and both weighing a little over 2 lbs, our mother, Janice showed a “spunk” and zest for life, which marked her life from a precarious beginning until the day she left us.
Our mother graduated from Beaumont High School and Lamar University with a Bachelor’s in Education. Both her mother, a teacher, and her father, a principal, shared with all four of their girls a love of and excellence at teaching. Jan spent her whole life teaching, and was loved by all. She had an unusual knack of being able to work with kids of all ages and abilities. Jan adapted to teaching in varied situations. As a brand new twenty-two year old teacher she moved to a small farming community in Missouri where she taught a class of predominately Mennonite children. Ten years later she moved back to Beaumont and taught at Carver Elementary where a class of all minority children doted on their new teacher. After her teaching career in Beaumont Independent School District ended, she substituted at all the Catholic schools, where she delighted in meeting and influencing many children of different ages. Her last years of teaching were spent as Director of Religious Education at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Until the day she died, she had memories of children whom she had taught. Even in the last years, we would run into adults who shared their special memories of their favorite teacher, Mrs. Moore. In true teacher style, she never failed to create a teachable moment. Janice was quick to point out and correct anyone’s grammatical errors.
Our mother had a life packed with experiences that most will not have in their lifetime. She traveled to Germany sixteen times within a ten year span, and was fascinated by her German roots. Janice taught herself German, and traveled alone all over Germany to find places that her heart told her to go. Her last words were several sentences spoken in German to a dear friend that called. She was so proud to have a son that became a Catholic Priest, and happy to be able to go with him to Rome and Assisi. Meeting Pope John Paul was a highlight of her life. Janice was proud of her French Acadian roots, and shared great memories of cousins in Lafayette, Louisiana. She stayed connected and had a deep desire to know more about her ancestors, not just who they were, but everything about them.
Janice was a people person, was outgoing and was passionate about many things. She was a nature lover, with a green thumb, and had beautiful plants. She was a decorator, whose motto was “if you like it, buy it and you will find a place for it”. She loved ballet and classical music and cats. Janice was headstrong, independent, and not always the easiest mother to get along with, yet we knew that she loved us dearly. Janice had a deep Catholic faith, and prayer brought her through many trying times. Her mind was sharp, her heart full of passion, and her influence will be felt by all of us who learned something from her.
Janice is survived by her children, Kelly McClelland and her husband, Chris, and Julie Fischer and her husband, Zel; and son, Father Andrew Moore; grandchildren, Maggie and Brendan; Kenzie and her husband, Ben; Zachary; Madison; and Courtney; great-grandson, Levi; former husband, Charlie Moore; twin sister, Jane Johnson; her baby sister, Lynn Wurzer; and nine nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and Morgan Rodemacher; sister, Gretchen Gray; and triplet sister, Joan Rodemacher.
Sincere thanks to Jan’s caregivers at Touched By An Angel where she lived for the past year and to the staff of Southeast Texas Hospice who were angels in disguise.
A gathering of Ms. Moore’s family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 243 South L. H. S. Drive, Lumberton. Her graveside service will follow at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Cedar Hills Cemetery, Cedar Hills Drive, Washington, Louisiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to Diocese of Beaumont, Fund for Education of Seminarians and Ministers, P. O. Box 3948, Beaumont, Texas 77704 or to Southeast Texas Hospice, 912 West Cherry Avenue, Orange, Texas 77630.
