Jan Masut

Our mother, Jan Masut (born Janice Sue Bradley), 83, of Sandpoint ID, formerly of Crystal River & Homosassa, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, August 24, 2025.

Jan moved to Crystal River, FL with her four children in the mid-seventies, working at Crystal River Travel Agency and at Sea Sweet Crab Meat Co before marrying Dominic Masut (deceased).

Over the following twenty-five years, "Jan and Dom" grew a flourishing fine dining restaurant, The Prime Minister Restaurant & Dickens Pub (later J.D. Cricket's in the same location). A creative and entrepreneurial spirit, she also co-founded Willow Creek Gift Baskets, a gift and interior decorating business.

Upon retirement, the Masuts moved to Sandpoint, ID.

Jan was preceded in death by her mother, Clela "Kitty" Helberg and her grandmother, Genevieve "Granny the Magician" Harris. Helberg was an Inglis postmaster and both lived in Yankeetown/Footprint Island.

Born in 1941, Jan attended Russell High School, serving on the Rich's Teen Board and as the "Russell Wildcat" mascot along with many other school activities. Early on, she followed her own lights. In high school she listened to jazzy Julie London while her classmates were rocking to Elvis, and she campaigned for Goldwater in Georgia during his 1964 presidential election – the peach state was the only state he carried, and we're pretty sure it was because of her.

She married Euchee (Bubba) Harp Skinner, Jr. shortly after graduation and the couple had four children: (Katharine) Leigh Mire of Sandpoint, ID, Laurie Lynn Barry of Atlanta (deceased), Eric Euchee Skinner of Sandpoint, ID, and Bradley Cole Skinner of Newnan, GA.

During her Atlanta years she was active in her church, enjoyed time with her best friend and sister-in-law, Jackie Toler, and worked at the Delta ticket counter.

Our mother was curious and adventurous. As a child, she spent a summer in Cuba with relatives, and later in life she traveled to Mexico and Europe (she especially admired the British). Mom enjoyed a great story, and loved to learn.

Above all, our Mom was gentle. She liked to talk to people, and liked to listen to them, too. Her heart was a big tent – she was fair-minded, and she particularly rooted for underdogs who, like her, came from difficult circumstances and were working their way into something better.

She was a Christian, and we are comforted knowing she's been reunited with the friends and family that have gone before her.