Obituary: Dorman, Janice Jane
Janice was born December 28th, 1926 in Pomeroy, WA to Stanley and Vera Fitzsimmons.
She was raised on the family farm on the Alpowa Ridge outside of Pomeroy.
She was forced to grow up very quickly due to the poor health of her mother and because of this she was responsible for preparing the meals (including feeding the harvest crew) beginning at age 13.
After graduating from Pomeroy High School, she left for Pullman where she began her college life at WSC, graduating with a degree in elementary education.
It was at Pullman where she met the love of her life, Jack Dorman, and the two were married October 8, 1950 before settling down in their little house on the ranch at Lacrosse, WA (more specifically, Pampa).
There the couple pursued the life of farming and Jan was the epitome of the always-supportive farm wife.
She was known for her incredible cooking talent and had a great deal of practice demonstrating this skill due to the frequent drop-in guests ranging from immediate family to the visitors who seemed to show up conveniently at meal time.
Jan was also known for her love of animals that quickly became her pets.
She raised many orphaned or injured creatures ranging from baby birds to abandoned kittens.
She was particularly fond of the runt pig, “Pig” who trailed her like a dog and squealed at the back door until she responded with affection and attention.
She particularly enjoyed her beloved cats.
Jan’s love for flowers was expressed on a weekly basis when she would adorn the Lacrosse Methodist Church altar with beautiful bouquets of roses, larkspur, lilacs and asters just to name a few.
Early Sunday mornings out on the ranch would find Jan hustling around in her nightgown collecting flowers that served as a focal point for her latest beautiful creation that would be enjoyed by the congregation.
Jan was happiest when surrounded by family and friends.
Some of her best memories were of the house being full of her children and grandchildren at holidays.
The cornerstone of Jan’s life was her faith in Christ, where she quietly but profoundly influenced all around her.
Various events held inside and outside of the church, such as turkey dinners, potlucks, and Christmas programs were venues where she displayed her steadfast Christian faith to others.
If you were in Jan’s world, you probably received anything from a note of encouragement (interspersed with her wonderful wit) to a home-cooked meal (including some of her legendary cinnamon rolls or an amazing pie).
Her life was filled with loving others and all who knew her are forever grateful to have witnessed her example of Christian love on a daily basis.
Jan is survived by her husband of 64 years, Jack Dorman, currently residing in Walla Walla, her children, Bob (Connie) Dorman of Lacrosse, Gary (Mina) Dorman of Touchet, Ginny (Bill) Ressel of Sprague, and Dwight (Stacey) Dorman of Waitsburg.
She is also survived by her brother and his wife, Marston and Margie Fitzsimmons of Pomeroy; seven grandchildren, six great-grand- children and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jan was preceded in death by her brother, Wes Fitzsimmons and her parents.
A graveside service will be held on Monday, February 2, at 11:00 am at the Lacrosse Cemetery.
A memorial service celebrating her wonderful life will be held at 12 pm at the Lacrosse Methodist Church.
Both services are open to the public.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Lacrosse United Methodist Church.
Reception to follow at the Methodist Church.