Jane Louise Ward

She was born to Mother, Elizabeth Amerkhanian, a strong Armenian, and Father John Robert Hulihan of Irish, Scottish, and Welch ancestry. They met at USC and married and were sealed as a family on November 8, 1958, in LA Temple. She embraces her heritage and especially loved celebrating St Patty’s Day with her family each year!

As a child she lived in Glendora with her 3 older brothers, Johnny, Jimmy, and Jeff in the house built by her father and that her mom lives in today and played on the swing set her grandkids play on wherever they visit. She moved to Arcadia when she was 5 and then back to the Glendora house in 1956 in 4th grade after her parent’s divorce then back to West Covina with her father.

In 1967 she gained a bonus mom and two more siblings – Jerri and Kenny - when her dad married Beverly Jane Starbuck Cadwallader.

A highlight of her youth was when she got a horse (Sunny) and enjoyed riding and showing Sunny for 3 1/2 years. Her brother Jeff could not be here today as he lives in Japan. He shared with me how they were very close in both age and connections, as they were only one grade apart in school. He recalls fondly how she cheered him on when he was a runner on the cross country and track teams of their high school. She went to South High School in Covina where she played Basketball and finished her last 2 years of High School at Chaparral High in Scottsdale where she loved drama, seminary and church activities and volunteering at Devereux School for children with special needs.

Education

She graduated from High School in 1974 and was accepted to BYU and started the summer semester in 1974. During one college summer she went to live with Kenny and Linda in Costa Mesa California and worked as a salesperson at JC Penny. When she was back at BYU in 1976/77, she went to General Conference with cousins, Katy, Joanne and Eileene Howard where their photo taken and published in the November 1976 Ensign.

By her own words, things did not come easily in school for Janie, so she decided to go to work instead. In January she found a job taking care of 3 little boys, then went back to school then went to work at Prudential Insurance Company. Her mom Beverly who had a big impact on her life and testimony died of Cancer in 1980.

Family

She served a mission to Argentina 1981-82 during which time her dad moved to Shoup Idaho and married another bonus mom after the passing of Beverly – Patty Hulihan – and she gained two more brothers – Charlie and Doug. Why do I mention that her dad moved to Idaho – well, this was important because when Janie got back from her mission, she enrolled at Bosie State University so she could be closer to Dad. Here she met Rick Ward at a single adult FHE at Boise State in the fall of 1982. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan Temple, Jan 7, 1983.

Their life together had begun! After a honeymoon in Sun Valley Idaho, they moved into BSU Student Housing. Rick was working on MBA at night and working part time at various jobs. Jane also worked part time as a receptionist as a dentist office and no longer attended BSU. They moved to Kennewick Washington where her first child Ryan was born shortly after. Then they moved to Kent and Heather was born in Tacoma Washington on June 17, 1986. Rick was hired by the Boeing Company on July 13, 1987. Kevin was born on July 25th, 1989, in Federal Way WA. In 1990 they moved into the Puyallup Stake, Surprise Lake ward. She started an in-home preschool, Wee Bears and babysat lots of neighborhood children, they then moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1994 where the family was blessed through foster to adopt with Leslie in 1998 and Jesse 3 months later. Leslie and Jesse were sealed to the family in Seattle Temple 2000.

The family bought a 100-year-old house in downtown Puyallup in 2005 where Janie then worked as a Schools Reading Coordinator and studied for and became a CMP - Certified Music Practitioner. This was such a perfect job for Janie for those who knew her – a Certified Music Practitioners (CMPs) are musicians who play live therapeutic music to provide a healing environment for all present, especially those who are ill or transitioning. Certified Music Practitioners work in various settings including hospitals, hospice, nursing homes as well as other non-traditional settings. She sang to patients at Virginia Mason Hospital in Federal Way Washington and at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup.

The grandkids started to come soon too - she loved that she was able to be at many of their births as well. Nathan came first to Heather and Ryan, then her first (and ONLY) granddaughter, Emma, then Jacob and Henry! In that time they also moved here – in 2014 – to Auburn and then Auburn Ward. More grandkids came when Ryan and Keri had their children – Jonah, Samuel (Oke), and - just last year - baby Rhys.

Her family was her priority with her children and her in-law bonus children too - Ryan, Keri and Vivan and grandkids. She would often send me photos and updates of the grandkids. And she even had nephew Neil come live with them when he went to high school in America for his junior year. She lost her second mom Patty in 2014 but was able to be there a few times and lovingly care for her painting her nails, snuggling and enjoying time. She was such a blessing to all her family, always loving and serving, and we know that was another sweet reunion that took place.

Later Years

Rick and Jane loved being outdoors when they could and traveling too. I was able to meet up with her several times when she came out to CA to visit her mother who is still alive at 99! She loved going to Shoup where her dad and Patty lived, and it holds a special place for all of us. We were so glad she was able to go last year in April for a memorial to her dad who precede her in death last year. At that time, we had such a special time going through memories, photos, time capsules and more.

They were able to go to Japan in 2019 with Ryan and Keri to visit her brother Jeff and got caught in a heat wave and experience a Typhoon!

As one of Janie’s most cherished possessions was her testimony of her Savior and of the Gospel. She lived the gospel every day of her life – always being guided by LOVE in all she did. Committing to her love of the gospel, Jane – along with Rick - was called as a service missionary to serve in the Seattle Temple Office in 2022 and Lake Holm Ward 2023. After being released she was also called as the Young Women’s President and humbly accepted. She served in many callings in her life and always blessed those she served.

Janie was diagnosed with Mucosal melanoma cancer on Jan 31, 2023, and fought a hard battle. She fought with strength and unshakeable faith. She told me she knew that whatever God’s plan was for her she would accept that. On Tuesday, January 9th, 2024, at Valley Medical Center, in Renton Washington, one of the greatest women I have ever know “graduated from this earth “2 days after her 41st anniversary with Rick, the love of her life. She fulfilled her measure on this earth and left this mortal earth to return to her Father in Heaven and be reunited with so many loved ones on the other side. But she leaves a hole in all of our hearts too. She leaves behind her husband – and love of her life - Rick of 41 years, 5 children and 7 grandchildren, doggies Lucy and Mini and many siblings and extended family and a legacy of love that will continue on for many generations.