JANICE (DIETRICH) ANDERSON

September 11, 1929 -
October 27, 2017

Janice Anderson, 88, died peacefully in her home at Chandler's Square in Anacortes on October 27, 2017, attended by her family and assisted by Hospice of the Northwest.

She was born September 11, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, the third child of George and Delphina Pooler. She was six when her father died of appendicitis and her mother moved the family to Washington State to be close to relatives.

After settling in Hoquiam in 1935, Jan's mother moved on to Gig Harbor in 1941, Bremerton in 1942, and Tacoma in 1944 to take advantage of war work, while still struggling to make ends meet. Janice graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma in 1948, and married William R. Dietrich that year when she was 18.

She had one child, Anacortes author and journalist William A. Dietrich. She was jokingly renowned at Chandler's Square as Bill's biggest fan.

The new family lived in California from 1954 to 1956 and then returned to Tacoma where Bill and Jan became owners of a family business, Northwest Painters. She worked as a bookkeeper there. She also served as a PTA president and at charitable causes through Active Club.

The couple enjoyed sailing and RV camping and travel. Janice also experimented with many crafts, including painting, mosaics, sewing, and stained glass.

In 1979 Janice and her husband became a 'Friend of Bill' and for the next three decades she volunteered at Alcoholics Anonymous to help others struggling with addiction. She considered her AA work the most fulfilling of her life.

Jan's husband died in 1986 and in 1990 she married Joseph Anderson of Bonnie Lake. They lived six years in Green Valley, AZ, before Joe died in 2001. She then moved to Anacortes to be close to her son and daughter-in-law, Holly Dietrich.

Janice spent her last nine years at Chandler's Square, enjoying its companionship and activities. Janice was also very active at Anacortes Senior Center and was an avid traveler in her 70s and early 80s.

She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church early in life, and Anacortes First Baptist later.

Janice is survived by Bill and Holly, grandchildren Lisa and Heidi, and seven great-grandchildren. The family plans a private gathering to scatter her ashes.