Janice Joan Cochran

With heavy hearts we mourn Jan’s passing.  She was truly one of the most remarkable people you could have known.  On 26 September 2022 friends and former colleagues gathered to celebrate her life.  She is also remembered by her extended family of friends who adored her.  Jan will be remembered for her infectious smile and laugh, great sense of humor, great spirit, charity, selflessness and her love of music.  She shared her love of music with thousands of students throughout her 40 year career as an elementary school music teacher.   Not only did she play piano but also countless instruments.

Jan was the daughter of Bill and Therese Cochran and raised in St Maries Idaho along with her brother Steve.

Upon graduation from college, Jan was hired by the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DODDS) and was assigned to teach in Sembach Germany elementary school.  While there she made lifelong friends with German and American teachers.  Upon leaving Germany in 1976, she was hired by the Orting Washington School District as the elementary school music teacher.  She left an indelible mark on thousands of school kids whom she taught.  “Miss Cochran” not only taught school band but she also put on countless school plays and musicals in addition to having kids come to her class to sing the classics.  Always up to date with musical taste, her students were either singing “Taking Care of Business” or the latest hit songs.  Jan was always in fashion.  She was hip and she made music fun!  As to fashion?  Janice J shopped Nordtrom’s…full stop.

Jan retired from teaching music at Orting in 2009 but she wasn’t done yet.  Never one to sit around, Jan volunteered at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma Washington where she could continue to interact with children and sharing her knowledge with them.  She loved being around kids.  They made her laugh and brought her great joy.

So, it is with heavy hearts that we say good bye to Jan.  She was loved and respected by so many.  Her spirit will live in all who knew her and all those countless students who had “Miss Cochran” as their music teacher.  She made music fun.  Job well done Janice!  Strike up the band!  She will be missed by her friends and colleagues especially her bridge club friends who took care of her in her final years to her transition.  You were her rock.

Jan is survived by her brother Steve his wife Mary and nephew Jason and niece Erin.  She is also survived by her extended family of friends and students who loved and adored her.