Janet, affectionately known as “Jan,” passed away Jan. 1, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash., at the age of 90 after a hard-fought cancer battle. 

Janet Urbanek was born Sept. 27, 1934, in the Wolf Creek area of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the eldest of two children to Emil and Viola (Newell) Urbanek. She was very close to her family, especially her grandmother, Clara Newell. Mom loved to dance, and at a young age, she began tap dancing throughout the county in beautiful costumes handmade by her loving mother and grandmother.

She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High in 1952. In the spring of 1952, along with her parents and grandparents, she embarked on an adventure driving up the Alaska Highway. Jan beautifully and humorously journaled the trials and tribulations of that trip. Her family settled in Anchorage. Living in a cabin on Campbell Creek, they enjoyed a homesteading existence.

While working as a secretary at Fort Richardson, she met Raymond Lee. They were married in October 1953. Together, they built two homes in the neighborhood, and Jan became a homemaker, raising two daughters and one son.

She was the quintessential homemaker and neighborhood friend. Jan was a Girl Scout leader, 4-H mom and room mother, and she was always involved in all aspects of her children’s lives. Forever the hostess, many a niece and nephew found their way to “Aunt Jan’s” house in Alaska. As her children grew to be teenagers, their friends found refuge around Mom, who was fun-loving, had an infectious smile and offered unconditional acceptance. She always had the coffee pot on and a full cookie jar. Jan enjoyed baking and decorating. She avidly decorated for every holiday.

After Jan and Ray Lee divorced in 1978, she moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1980, where she met and married Ray Jeffries in November 1981, spending the next 43 years together. They lived in Rathdrum, Idaho; Hawaii; Sequim, Wash.; and Rockport, Texas, religiously walking 4 miles a day at home or on the road. They traveled for several years by motorhome and then cruised the world. Mom thoroughly enjoyed over 27 ocean cruises and all the people she met along the way. She loved music and there was not a country song she couldn’t dance to.

As they aged, Mom and Ray spent more time in Sequim, walking Robin Hill Park and Dungeness Spit, admiring every bird and flower. They loved country dancing and enjoyed waltzing the floors every weekend they could. In the past few years, Mom and Ray moved to Gig Harbor, Wash., to be closer to family and medical care. Mom thoroughly enjoyed attending the sports activities of her grandchildren as often as she was able.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Viola Urbanek, and great-grandson Michael Davis III. Her husband, Ray, followed her six days after her passing. She is survived by her brothers, Fred (Loveta) Urbanek and John Roberts, and her three children, Linda Murray (Craig), Cindy Lee (Doug Parry) and James Lee (Stephanie); three stepchildren, Julie Vandeventer (Frank), Bradley Jeffries and Kevin Jeffries, eight grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and two great-grandchildren along with extended family.

Our family wishes to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Novotny and staff, Dr. Wild and staff, and the lab angels at Multicare Regional Cancer Center in Gig Harbor for the kindness, support and care shown to our Jan. In addition, we appreciate the kindness and care shown to Mom by the Sound Vista Assisted Living team in Gig Harbor.  

A private celebration to honor this remarkable woman will take place in the summer of 2025.

Mom had an incredibly blessed life, and the memory of her beautiful smile will be with us forever.

    Jeffries