Janet Helen Mickens

On May 7, 2023 Janet Mickens (née Janet Helen Curry) passed away in Woodland Hills, CA from natural causes at the age of 90. Janet is survived by her large loving family that includes: a daughter, Shawn, a son, Scott, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, a son-in-law, a daughter- in-law and her most trusted companion, Paul Brooks. 

Originally a resident of Billings, Montana, and a devout Catholic, Janet “Jan” attended Fratt Elementary and Billings Senior High School before moving to California and to attend Mills College and then University of Southern California. It was at USC where she became heavily involved in the wonderful work of her sorority Alpha Gama Delta, and went on to earn a degree in Telecommunications.  During one of her summers back home in Billings, Janet met baseball player, Glenn Mickens, who was playing for the Billings, Mustangs, a minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jan and Glenn wed in 1956. She enjoyed traveling as a baseball wife as Glenn advanced through the Dodger organization to become a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Jan and Glenn went on to have two children, a daughter, Shawn and a son, Scott, and the family moved to Japan briefly while Glenn played baseball for the Kintetsu Buffaloes.

After returning to the States, they settled in the San Fernando Valley, but eventually got divorced. Janet returned to college and attained a Master’s Degree in Special education. Janet had a strong work ethic, and she was a dedicated teacher who worked in the field of special education for over 40 years. It was the utmost importance for Janet to help young and impressionable students know what it felt like to find pride and success in school. Janet taught at several schools in the San Fernando Valley and also taught night school to adult education students before retiring from Fulton Junior High school in 2010. 

Not one to forget her roots, Janet returned to her hometown in Billings, Montana every summer to visit with childhood friends.  These trips were a great source of joy for her as they allowed for her to stay connected with her lifelong friend Betty Rae Lindsay, Betty Rae’s sister, Colleen and their families.  Of Irish descent, Janet fulfilled her lifelong dream and took a trip to Ireland in 1996.  During this trip she got to meet distant cousins in her family’s hometown in County Cork.

Janet was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a loyal, compassionate friend.  She will be remembered for her warmth, generous spirit and her devotion to her family.  A memorial service will be held on June 3, 2023 at the San Fernando Mission at 9AM.