Obituary of Janice Mary McMullen

Janice Mary (Hoeffer) McMullen, beloved wife, mother and sister, died peacefully in her sleep at home surrounded by close family members on February 24, 2016 following a four month recurrence of uterine Cancer. Jan and her identical twin sister Beverly were born in Spokane, WA, on June, 14, 1944 to Bill and Lavina Hoeffer. They attended Whittier Elementary and Lewis and Clark High School from which Jan graduated Valedictorian with a perfect 4.0 GPA in 1962. She attended the University of Washington where she pledged Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She served as the President of the Associated Women’s Students in 1965-66. She graduated in 1966 Suma Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa and was honored as the outstanding undergraduate in the Department of Sociology. Her name is on the wall of fame in the HUB. Jan married Ron Young, a geologist in 1966. She returned to school and received a MA in Library Science. The Couple had two children, Kristen and Erik, and eventually moved to Edmond, OK, after living in several other southern cities. After her divorce she earned a MA in Political Science. She then worked as a Senior Legislative Analyst for the Oklahoma State Senate, eventually becoming Director of Committee Staff. She was very active in her church and served as President of the Congregation at Peace Lutheran Church.. In 2001 she married her college sweetheart, Ron McMullen. Together they returned to the Pacific Northwest after she retired to live on Harstine Island on Puget Sound near Shelton, WA. She loved to travel and the couple did so extensively to the British Isles, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Jan was bright, beautiful, shy and lovable. Her smile and infectious laughter could light up a room. She was gracious and kind to all. She was a devoted and wonderful mother and grandmother; maintained friendships that stretch back to grade school and made new friends easily. She is survived by daughter Kristen (Young) Howald and husband Roddy and grandchildren Vance, Lydia, Judah and Zoe; son Erik Young and wife Zhao Mei; twin sister Beverly and wife Carol Beeston; step-son, Ronnie and wife Tammy McMullen, step-grandchildren Brittany Barrows, Bailey, Brayden and Blakelyn; step-daughter Nicole (McMullen) Hedeen and husband Rick, and step-grandchildren Lauren Beauchamp and Amanda; step-son Greg McMullen and step-grandchildren Taylor, Elisha and Makayla. She is survived by several aunts and many cousins. Her Memorial Service will be at Faith Lutheran Church March 17 at 1212 Connection St., Shelton, WA at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Gideon's International to purchase bibles.