Janice Rubin

1944 - 2022

JANICE RUBIN
Janice Rubin of Atlantic Beach, passed away unexpectedly on September 13, 2022 with twin sister, Joy Bright of Atlantic Beach and nephew Adam Bright of Santa Cruz, California, holding her close.
Born on the 6th of July 1944 in Brooklyn, NY to parents Bess and Nat Rubin (predeceased and married for some 63 years); Janice arrived 12 minutes BEFORE sister Joy, who is still running late!
From Elementary School where they were encouraged to perform in talent shows by "Stage Mom" Bess singing "Sisters" (and stealing the show); to Abraham Lincoln H.S. where Janice excelled in advanced classes, and extracurricular activities, becoming a cheerleader and having had the proud honor of cheering at Madison Square Garden; to meeting Neil Diamond, a graduate of her H.S., at one of the school parties; (but no one knew who the heck he was back then!)
Janice was a graduate from Brooklyn College earning a B.A. in Public Affairs, and a graduate from the New School of Writing in Manhattan.
With school days over, Janice moved from Brooklyn to Manhattan to enter the business world. She experienced several diversified careers running the gamut from "go-go" dancer in several upscale nightclubs; to Advertising Account Executive; to Entertainment Reporter and Columnist; and to Publishing as Associate Editor – to name some of her stand-out accomplishments. Janice flourished and shone her way all around the "Big Apple"!
Moving to Jacksonville Beach in 1976 to be close to twin and nephew; Janice discovered Community Theatre where she also flourished and shone for the next 4 years. The amazing aroma of Maxwell House Coffee brought her there to work for the next couple of years. To quote Mark Woods of the F-T-U when interviewing her, "she led a charmed life"!
Tragically however, Janice was the victim of a boating accident on Labor Day 1980, In a split-second life altering moment, she was rendered a quadriplegic at the age of 36! When told she needed to live out her life in a nursing home, sister Joy said No!
Miraculously, Janice, this tenacious, mettle-infused woman, despite all odds in the face of adversity; returned to work exactly a year later! This time, interestingly enough, as the new Receptionist, Switchboard Operator and Editor of the company newsletter, in an article Jan once wrote, was that one of the more upsetting aspects of coping with her injury, is her friends' inability to handle their despair – they fade away. She wrote: "What do you say to a quad? "Say – Hello"! When Maxwell house celebrated their 100th birthday, she was honored as one of the 100 "real heroes" from throughout the U.S., a medal and her picture posted on billboards all throughout Jacksonville!
After 25 years of "enjoyment", Janice retired in 2004, and most certainly remained "good to that last drop"!
Janice enjoyed her membership with the Council for Disabled Persons. Besides meetings, they went out to lunch, socialized in members' homes, and yes, even, went bowling! At one of their luncheons, they surprised Jan with flowers and a presentation naming her the Challenged Disabled Citizen of the Year!
Janice enjoyed swimming in her backyard pool for the freedom it allowed; playing with her cats Cheek-o and Moxie, computing with her reconnected high school friends from around the world; and especially listening to her nephew Adam's Jam Bands.
For serving as a role model to many people in similar situations for over 42 years confined to a wheelchair, Janice remained positive and powerful till the bitter end; earning titles as a "warrior", "fighter", an "inspiration" and "poster child for heroism".
Thank you, dear friends, for being there: Ruthie, Dick and Susan, Malina, Lynde, Denise, Maggie, Jacquelyn, Tanya G and Debra M. She leaves behind a legacy of love and strength to twin sister Joy, nephew Adam, brother, Steve (Ellen), niece, Jackie (Jim), a few cousins and Moxie.
A Gathering of friends and family will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, October 22, 2022, in Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home., 36oo 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Rather than flowers or a donation, please consider a gift to my sister Joy, Thank you, Steve.
Please visit her Tribute online at www.quinn-shalz.com.