Janice Kay Bailey of Burns passed away March 18 in Bend from complications from pneumonia.  She was 75.

Janice was born June 2, 1940, to Tom and Dorothy (Paul) Jenkins of Virginia Valley, south of Princeton.  Janice joined sisters Betty, Delta, and later, Dee Ann.  Growing up, she had many childhood adventures with her sisters that she often told to her grandkids. She attended school at Virginia Valley until the 8th grade and then went on to Crane High School. One of her favorite memories was returning from high school on Fridays, stopping at Grandma Adele Paul’s, for warm biscuits and pear preserves. As true to Crane tradition, Janice had many “escapades” during high school with her friends.  After graduation from Crane in 1958, Janice attended Boise Jr. College and majored in business.

Janice married Walt Bailey on Aug 1, 1959, and they made their home in Diamond Valley. They welcomed three sons Brad, Doug, and Vade. Later on, they moved to Catlow Valley, Frenchglen, and spent the last 26 years in Burns, farming.

Janice was one of the most wanted partners during the family card games, the designated Thanksgiving cook, chief driver’s ed instructor for the grandkids, and carried her mischievous spirit to the end. She was known as “Aunt Nanny” to her nieces, nephews, and many others, but Grandma to her grandchildren.

Of all the hats that Janice wore, her most proud hat was that of Grandma. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy. Grandma was a constant attendee at every school assembly, program, and sporting event. Janice taught every grandchild to drive in her 1988 Cressida, making many laps around the driveway while having the radio blasting to Claudett, Blue Moon, or Secret Agent Man. When her students graduated from the Cressida, she taught them to drive the tractor and truck while picking up hay at the farm. Going to the farm and having one of Grandma’s famous lunches will be a missed activity.

Janice was noted among the family as a good cook. She taught many nieces, grandsons, and daughters- in-law to conjure up the best pie crust imaginable and, true to her mischievous nature, was famous for “giving” a recipe that just happened to be missing the special key element to make the dish delicious.  She raised three boys that could out-cook most women in the county, but that didn’t mean that she wasn’t a phone call away when it came time for them to whip up something in their own homes. It didn’t matter the time of day, she was always on hand to lend them advice in order to perfect the perfect meal. Above all else, this will be one of the most missed aspects of her passing; being able to pick up the phone and call Mom for advice on a recipe.

Janice was known for her quick-witted ability, never backing down from a good argument, giving brutally honest advice (whether you wanted it or not), and her exceptionally mischievous personality. She was someone you could always count on when you needed a strong shoulder to lean on, and was the ultimate keeper of secrets.  She could sit at the kitchen counter and giggle for hours and then turn around and have the most serious of conversations.

Janice is survived by her son, Brad and wife, Roxane; son, Vade and wife, Heather; daughter-in-law, Lori Bailey; and five grandsons, Brennan, Zach, Logan, Zane and Luke. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Opie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walt; and son, Doug.

Contributions in Janice’s memory may be made to Burns High School baseball, in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488; Burns, Oregon 97720.