Janice Lynne "Jan" Southworth-Kidder

1946 - 2024

Jan was a loving wife, mother and "super-grandma" who touched the lives of many hundreds of adults and children throughout her career as a naturalist and teacher. Born to Verlin Krankenberg and Anna Jean (Marrero) Krankenberg in Houston, Texas on February 3, 1946, Janice Lynne Krankenberg grew up in San Jose, then attended Pioneer HS in Whittier, CA, graduating in 1963. She attended Chabot College then Cal State Hayward (now East Bay) where she received a BA in English and Drama and worked towards a Masters Degree in Environmental Education. From 1966-1975 she was married to Tom Southworth and in 1974 welcomed the birth of her son, Daniel. In 1976, she was hired by the East Bay Regional Park District as a Naturalist at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, CA. There she met and fell in love with fellow Naturalist Norm Kidder. They were married in 1978 atop Coyote Hills overlooking the San Francisco Bay. In 1980, their family grew to include a daughter, Emily. As a family they hiked the many trails of the East Bay Parks, spent summer vacations at Packer Lake in the Sierras, and Jan instilled in her family a joy for traveling to visit natural and historic wonders of the world that they explored together. Some of her favorite adventures included a recent trip to Panama to see exotic birds to check off her impressive life-list, and watching her grandchildren swim with sharks and sting-rays in Tahiti.

Professionally, Jan was instrumental in the development of many new and experimental nature programs at the East Bay Regional Park District. In 1979 she organized the first modern-day voyage across the Bay by a hand made Tule reed boat, the mode of transportation used by the Ohlone to navigate San Francisco Bay. Focusing on indigenous Ohlone culture, she continued to innovate - organizing additional boat constructions and voyages in 1981 and 1984. In 1989 she moved to Ardenwood Historic Farm, where she created new school group programs, and special events. Her discovery of over wintering Monarch butterflies in the farm's forest, led to the start of a new program on Monarchs including a nectar garden. In 1994, she organized another Tule Boat Voyage on the District's 60th Birthday. In 1996, Jan moved back to Coyote Hills and designed the Bird and Butterfly Garden adjacent to the Visitor's Center. She trained teachers to raise Monarch butterflies in the classroom, and helped families plant bird and butterfly friendly gardens. She also began the Bird and Butterfly Festival which is still going to this day. Even after Jan and Norm retired in 2005, they kept working as 'Neighborhood Naturalists', doing after school programs, building exhibits for museums, teacher training and classroom programs.

Her proudest achievement is her two wonderful children Daniel Southworth and Emily Kidder, and four delightful grandchildren – Tyler and Ryland Southworth, and Elliott and Lily Saito. She leaves behind her loving family and a large group of friends for whom she was known and loved as the heart of the community.