Janice Lieber

Jan Lieber, 72, died in her home in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 2, 2024 from a sudden and strong atherosclerotic, cardiovascular event with her beloved pets, Cressi, Calypso and Iris by her side. 

Jan was born in Long Beach, California to Shirley and Julius Lieber on November 25, 1951. She is survived by her younger sister, Kay (California), and preceded in death by her brother, Les (Washington). Jan’s Montana family went beyond blood, where she was “adopted” by several families in Montana and “auntie” to many who love her and will miss her deeply. 

As a youth, Jan was active in Girl Scouts and became a lifetime member. She attended summer camps into her college years. Girl Scouts exposed Jan to many of her lifelong interests, including camping, hiking, swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, sewing, leather working, and photography. 

Jan was an outstanding student, and attended Northern Arizona University and California State University, Domingues Hills. She had a Master’s degree in education with special education endorsement. Jan moved to Missoula in 1978, she embraced the Montana history, culture and outdoor splendor with gusto. Jan taught for MCPS for 40 years. Starting in special education at Franklin Elementary School, then 4th and 5th grades at Emma Dickinson, and Paxson. She finished her long and rewarding teaching career at Hawthorne Elementary Schools teaching Title Services, helping students individually until her retirement in 2018. Jan was dedicated to public education and was active in MEA and NEA. She was dedicated to her students’ needs and interests well beyond “the basics” and continued tutoring past her retirement.

Jan was an accomplished violist, learning to play as a youth, and continued her musicianship until her passing. Jan played viola in college, and briefly played with the Missoula Symphony. Throughout her adult life, she played viola in a local string quartet performing in private concerts for friends and family. She supported many friends’ musical interests, often loaning or giving instruments and attending endless concerts, fostering the love of music to all around her. 

Jan loved and supported public radio and television, including “Antiques Road Show” and historical documentaries. Jan was an avid reader and belonged to a Jewish women’s reading group. She was a poet, calligrapher, and watercolor painter, combining all three in many artistic pieces and given to friends. Jan loved hiking in Pattee Canyon and walking the trails at DNRC with her dogs and friends. Jan loved photographing wildflowers and picking huckleberries. Her travels brought her many delights; snorkeling in Saipan, summer music festivals in Michigan, connections with other friends in Colorado, New York, Texas, and California. 

Jan loved her home and her family of 2 dogs, Cressi and Calypso, and 1 kitty, Iris. She spent hours caring for her garden that she designed and maintained right up until the end of her life. Jan often invited others to share in her produce, especially her raspberries, squash, and lemon cucumbers. She loved having children visit and delighted in having the little ones pick raspberries or play in the yard with her sweet doggies. 

Jan was loving, generous, creative, funny, a fierce feminist, and the most loyal friend. She was an advocate for animals and children. Please share in honoring her life and her spirit on January 11, 2025, at Har Shalom, 1pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.