Janice Gail Hickerson

September 14, 1944 - July 14, 2021

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'" Proverbs 31:28–29 Janice Gail Hickerson graduated to glory in Mission Viejo, California on July 14th, 2021. She faced the difficulties of Alzheimer’s disease with grace and dignity, still impacting those around her with her beautiful smile and sweet spirit. We take comfort in knowing she is finally HOME … with the Lord and her loved ones that have gone on before her. A beloved daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother, she will be missed so deeply. Janice Gail Hart was born on September 14, 1944 in Honolulu, Hawaii at the Pearl Harbor Navy Hospital while her father worked outfitting departing ships and her mother was a secretary for the Commandant at the Base. She was raised in Newport Beach, California by her parents, Delton and Floella Hart. An only child, Janice’s fondest memories from her youth were times spent with the aunts, uncles and cousins of her extended Hart family. Janice attended Biola University in Los Angeles where she met her husband, Steve Hickerson. They were married in the new Music Building at the La Mirada campus on August 7, 1965 and spent the next few years working in youth ministry. Janice worked as an administrative assistant until their four children arrived. Todd, Troy, Adam and Joy were her greatest blessings, giving her the big family she always dreamed of. A mother beyond compare, Janice sought to make every day special, cherishing every minute of busy family life. Together, the Hickersons built commercial buildings including Roller Towne in Visalia, California where Janice enjoyed running the day-to-day operations and making the staff feel like family. Steve and Janice also built a new home and a lovely family cabin up at Hume Lake Christian Camps where her children could enjoy being summer campers and eventually, summer staff. She was a perfect partner for Steve for 56 years and loved the life and family they built together. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing Janice enjoyed her lively conversation, her wealth of knowledge on all things health related, her enthusiasm for home and hearth, her memorable stories and her love. She had the ability to plan, organize, and host like no one else. She made each person’s birthday a BIG affair, memorized important dates and details about each family member, decked out the house for every holiday and never missed a chance to speak affirmation and encouragement to those around her. Some of the things she loved were traveling to many different countries. The trip to Israel was her favorite, especially since her teen idol Pat Boone was the host. Her favorite things were Tuesday shopping trips to Ross with Flo, making granola and healthy cookies, gardening, hearts, the color purple, and dark chocolate. What we will miss the most is her quiet love for the Lord, her words of steady kindness and her acts of compassion that were never announced, but never unnoticed. We will miss her effervescent laughter, her beautiful sparkling eyes and her smile that lit up every room. We were each the beneficiary of her fierce and valiant love – love that we felt to our core, love that saw past our rough edges and embraced us unconditionally despite our failings. There is no greater legacy. Janice is survived by her adoring husband of 56 years, Steve, and her children and their spouses: Todd (Kristen), Troy (Colleen), Adam (Katie), and Joy (Micah). She was also lovingly known as “Grammy” to her ten grandchildren: Taylor, Micah, Caleb, Matthew, Eden, Karli, Cora, Autumn, Jonah, and Ruby. Janice’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the nurses and hospice workers who cared for Janice during her decline. The Hickerson's would also like to thank all their friends and family for the recent outpouring of love through texts, calls, and cards. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 28th at 11:00 am at McCormick and Sons Mortuary, 25000 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods. Reception to follow with a light lunch provided for those in attendance. The service will be live-streamed and archived. Janice’s Tribute Page: at https://www.mccormickandson.com/obituaries/Janice-Hickerson/ In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the family founded and managed resident trade and Bible school in India. www.Prakash4India.org