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Janice Olson
1946 - 2016
Janice Olson
1946 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1946
DIED
2016
Janice Olson Obituary
February 13, 1946 - November 30, 2016
Janice Olson of Apple Valley, California, rode into the sunset the morning of November 30th, 2016. Janice is most noted for her daring adventures to the distant and mysterious island of Papua New Guinea where she located forgotten WWII aircraft deep in the jungles. One crash site included the skeletal remains of Lt. Howard Eberly who still wore the matching golden ID bracelet shared with his wife some fifty years before his remains were returned. Janice was a strong leader and savvy business woman. She will be remembered and missed for her boisterous laughter and sharp wit. For her interest in the world and the great lengths she took to understand it. For her love of poetry, opera, and her quiet cabin in the woods - the only place she was ever seen to sit still. Though her restless heart has finally found ease, she has left her mark on the world as a vibrant and energetic troublemaker, and above all, someone who truly left this world in a better condition than she found it. Services will be held at Sunset Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary in Apple Valley, Saturday December 17, from 2:00 to 5:00pm. Please contact the mortuary for flower donations, or other questions. Sunset Hills 24000 Waalew Rd. Apple Valley, CA 92307 (760) 247-0155
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Patricia Gaffney-Kindig
December 1, 2022
I think of Janice often. She had a profound and lasting effect on my life. I have some wonderful photos of us taken in Singapore as we were on our way to Papua New Guinea in 1995. In memory of 2Lt George P. Gaffney, Jr. MIA in PNG March 1944. Recovered in October 1998, as a direct result of my knowing Janice. Now buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
joseph W. Brady
December 1, 2021
Janice was just a great friend and I enjoyed every meeting, breakfast and conversation. she was one of a kind. We miss you and so does the Victor Valley Community Collège Foundation
Patricia Gaffney-Kindig
December 1, 2020
I think of Janice often as she made a momentous difference in my life. I miss hearing her laugh coming through the phone!
Robert Stitt
December 1, 2019
Was thinking about Janice just the other day as the second edition of my book that she helped inspire came out with her photo included. The caption reads:
Pacific B-17 researcher Janice Olson in her element with B-17E 41-9234/FL461 near Wau, Papua New Guinea, March 1993. Janice passed away in California on November 30, 2016.
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Larry Lillibridge
December 15, 2016
I never met Janice personally either, only via the internet, she knew I was a B-17 fan and we kept in touch often. I will miss her emails. God bless her.
Joseph Brady
December 13, 2016
I met Janice soon after I moved to the high desert through a mutual friend, Mr Tomas Burka.Janice was not only a friend, she was friend whom I really trusetd and one that would never break the code of silence. We met every 2 or so months for breakfast at Mollies( Green tree and Hesperia Road) and we would try to solve every issue we could discuss. A person so full of life and stories. Deborah, my partner and wife joined us the last 2 times and begged Janice to start writing her book. She had so much like and loved life to the fullest.I have met very few people as likable, as knowledgeable as Janice.We love you and will miss you forever.We will meet again.Thanks for all the advise and for being a real friend whom I could trust.
Patricia Gaffney-Kindig (Ansel)
December 10, 2016
The difference you made will live on.
Curt Holguin
December 9, 2016
Although I never met Janice, I knew of her great work paralleling my Dad's (Jose Holguin's) work in finding his 43rd BG B-17 (in 1982) and returning to USA his fallen comrades from that B-17. May God bless Janice forever.
Janice and I in Singapore 1995, on our way to Papua New Guinea
Patricia Gaffney-Kindig (Ansel)
December 9, 2016
To my serendipity sister, my eternal gratitude for taking me on the most incredible journey of my life - finding my father, 2Lt George P. Gaffney, Jr., MIA since 1944. You changed my life. Your racous laugh will always be in the air! Rest in the peace of blue skies.
December 9, 2016
Janice and I only connected towards the end of her life, but she was so enthusiastic to know of my own warplane wreck searches in the Pacific as was I bit Fate aborted our lively exchange of emails. She was also so keen to help me with information about B-17s in the Philippines/Java campaigns of early 1942 for my current book project on that subject. I'm so sad my new friend left us so abruptly.
Bill Bartsch
Reston, Virginia
craig "oly" olson
December 8, 2016
I will forever miss my big sister. She was an inspiration to me in so many ways.
Robert Stitt
December 8, 2016
Very sad to learn that Janice is no longer with us. Working together was incredibly rewarding and always stimulating and fun, as only Janice could make it. Happy landings, my friend.
Robert
Me salvaging the B17 Swamp Ghost-For a Lady who truly loved B17s
Alfred (Fred) Hagen
December 8, 2016
Dear Janice, Your were a woman of energy and conviction. The World seems less vibrant without you. Where has time gone? Fred
Gene Monihan
December 8, 2016
I was deeply saddend when I learned of the loss of Janice. Those of us in the WWII history community will be forever thankful for her contributions, and will miss her. I will always have good memories of Janice.
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24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307
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