Janice Charlene Sidor

1941 - 2025

Chapel Hill – Janice Charlene Sidor, 83, died at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill on Thursday, August 7, 2025. She was born in Grand Rapids MI on October 6, 1941, to the late David Howard Hansen and Helen Urbanski Hansen.

Jan graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School in 1959. With her infectious smile and personality, she found her niche as an office worker first in Grand Rapids, then as a receptionist, an activity which followed her throughout her life. Interestingly, she hated the phone!

In her senior year at GRCC, she met the love of her life, Dave, and they married in 1962. As a result of Dave's job offer at AT&T Bell Labs in New Jersey, they moved to Matawan where within a few years they had two sons. It was a special time for the boys as their apartment complex had three other families with similarly aged children. In 1971, she persuaded Dave to buy a home and the family moved to Freehold, NJ. During this period Jan worked and made friends at the Monmouth County Board of Elections, Marlboro High School, and finally the Asbury Park Press where at least two of those friendships last till today. And then, in 1991, the couple made the best decision of their marriage, moving to Chapel Hill NC when Dave joined Nortel Networks. Soon after moving, Jan got a job at the Student Health Center of the University of North Carolina and then later at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church, both of which had a major impact on her life.

Jan's activities were varied, but many were outdoors. In her hometown, these activities were with her GRCC girl friends. In NJ, there were trips with the boys to the shore with other families, and numerous camping trips including twice across the US. After a boat was purchased, fishing became a new passion though we rarely caught anything. She also took classes at Brookdale Community College and at NYU in Greenwich Village. After moving to NC, her time was occupied by supporting STM funeral receptions and bereavement, attending UNC basketball and soccer games, boating and fishing on Jordan Lake, and reading crime fiction.

Jan is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, David J. Sidor; her sons Chris Sidor of Carrboro, NC and Todd Sidor and her daughter-in-law, Lori Trimble, of Hamilton, NJ, and numerous nieces and nephews who brought her much joy through the years. Jan and the family were also blessed to know the companionship of several cats through the years, the latest being Riley.

In addition to her parents, Jan was preceded in death by her two brothers, Richard and Donald, and their wives, Phyllis and Pat, respectively, whom she viewed as true sisters.

A memorial mass celebrating Jan's life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on August 27, 2025 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 940 Carmichael St. Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Interment will follow the service in the church columbarium. Those in attendance are invited to join the family for a reception following the memorial mass and interment at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PORCH of Chapel Hill - Carrboro or Meals On Wheels of Orange County NC.