Janice Lee Donan

1950 - 2025

Janice Lee Hoffman Donan, 75, longtime Bardstown resident, died on September 29, 2025. She was born on April 10, 1950, in Indianapolis, Ind., to Col. Edgar Franklin and Wylene Cole Hoffman. Janice lived and attended schools from Eritrea to Hawaii as the Hoffmans moved wherever the United States Army assigned them. She graduated from the University of Louisville with a business degree in 1970 and worked in financial services, later teaching adult education and working as a computer consultant. Janice married Thomas Donan in 1974, and while he was serving in the USAF, they were blessed with two daughters before moving to Bardstown in 1979. She was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, and served in many roles, with a special dedication to children's ministry. She was a 2000 graduate of the Education for Ministry program of the University of the South. Janice loved reading, music, and travel, especially trips to Sarasota for opera performances, and trips with longtime friends from Woodson High School in Virginia. She was a lifelong advocate for public education, as a member of education organizations, as an academic team coach, and as a volunteer at several schools. Janice was a volunteer for many organizations, including the Democratic Women's Club, Pritchard Committee for Academic Excellence, and Room in the Inn. She loved baseball if and only if her grandson was playing. She also served as an unofficial editor and typist for several of Dixie Hibbs' books.

Janice is survived by her husband, Tom, daughters, Julie Rebecca Black (Paul) of Lebanon, Ohio, and Lisa Katherine Whitney (Todd), grandson Cole Alexander Whitney, all of Louisville, Kentucky, and brother Timothy Franklin Hoffman (Lori) of Buchanan Dam, Texas. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, followed by a gathering for friends and family at Kreso's Restaurant. Her cremains will be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 211 North Third Street, Bardstown, Kentucky 40004; Tri-County United Way, PO Box 547, Bardstown, KY 40004; or Hospice of Nelson County, 711 McDowell Blvd, Bardstown, KY 40004.

Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.