Janice Nikoghosian

1946 - 2025

Janice was born in Covina, CA on October 10, 1946, the second of five children born to Bob and Barbara Ruff. She grew up in Whittier, and then moved to the Central Valley in the early 1960's to attend Fresno State University. Shortly before completing her post graduate studies in Education at Fresno State, she met Herair "Harold" Nikoghosian, whom she married in July of 1970. They shared 55 years together, most of it in Hanford, CA. She left this earthly life on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Janice was a consummate educator. After spending 5 years as an elementary teacher in the Clovis Unified School District, she and Harold moved to Hanford where she taught first grade in the Slingerland Program at Lincoln School. After 5 years, she moved to Roosevelt, then signed on as Assistant Principal at Lee Richmond. In 2000, she was promoted to Director of Curriculum at Hanford Elementary and retired in 2008, after serving for 30 years. An achievement she rarely spoke of was her success in the development of a specialized teaching curriculum geared to K-1 students called "The Best of Mother Goose." She and two other teaching friends spent many nights and weekends working on and marketing the material across the country. It was well received as it utilized nursery rhymes to engage and educate children in science, math and health.

Janice was a wordsmith at all levels. She loved technical writing and valued a well-crafted document, letter, policy or any other formal communication. In her retirement, she spent many hours updating or revising policies for the Kings Art Center while also serving several terms as a trustee and two terms as President of the Guild. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was also blessed to have her as the President, and she gave generously of her time and efforts with them.

Education, art and animals were a passion for Janice. She and Harold loved to collect art, and were avid supporters of the local artists. Her taste in art was thoughtful and specific. If ever you were privileged to discuss a piece with her, she was articulate about what she liked and why, and why she decided to make the acquisition. Like many of the things Janice did in life, she chose art not just with her eyes, but with her heart.

Janice loved animals and was always concerned for their welfare. She had a heart of gold. She will always be remembered for her gentle and thoughtful ways, her dry, witty sense of humor and her ever helpful heart and hands.

Janice is survived by her husband of 55 years, Harold, her sister Carol Shaw (Ron) of Whittier, CA, and her brother Bill Ruff (Julie) of Idaho, nieces and nephews Jenny Page, Sarah Kelley, Travis Ruff, Sandy Poisson, Matthew Shaw, and Kate Shaw, Harold's brothers Jerair Nikoghosian (Nora), sister Kathrina Kiain (Raffie) and Armik Nikoghosian (Victoria), as well as her favorite rescue kitties, Petey, Benji, Emmy, Lucy, Scootie and Rosie.

A memorial for Janice is planned for Saturday, October 11, at 11 a.m. at the Kings Art Center, 605 N. Douty St., Hanford. Donations in her honor may be made to the Kings Art Center or to Valley Animal Haven in Lemoore, Ca.