Janis R Boyce

Janis Rogers Boyce, of Middletown, Delaware, passed away on Saturday, July 8, 2023. With bittersweet gratitude, we are inspired by the grace, generosity, and courage that she exuded throughout her life, and her joie-de-vivre spirit.
Born in Newport, Wales, June 19, 1944, Jan described her childhood as ordinary in the best of ways. This was near the end of World War II and her family had to stretch every available resource, though she said that was rarely evident to her as a child. She remembered bicycle rides and picnics with jam biscuits fondly and appreciated feeling secure and encouraged throughout her childhood. Her mother and father, Emily Elizabeth Nellie Morgan and Frank Ernest Rogers, and her stepfather, George Hyde, nurtured her. She loved her siblings, Id Rogers, and Brian, David, John, and Val Hyde, and their families. She treasured her cousin and oldest mate, Heather Heath, her aunties and uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and all her friends in Wales.
Jan always seized opportunities to expand her horizons. After a photo and a few letters, she received an offer of employment in Washington, D.C. and on January 19, 1965, she boarded a plane for her first major adventure. She missed her family in Wales greatly ever since that turning point. However, she was one to follow her heart and, as it turned out, she spent the rest of her life living in the United States.
It wasn't long after she arrived that she met Ben Higdon of Cisco, Georgia, who was a Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia. She mentioned that his accent, which sounded a little like Elvis', may have had something to do with the initial capture of her heart. They were married on August 14, 1965, and raised two children together, Pat Higdon and Julia Higdon, in Manassas, Virginia. During this period of her life, she spent much of her time volunteering at church, cheering at football matches and piano recitals, and pondering why, among her two children, only one seemed to go to a high school that assigned homework. And while it was a slight culture shock for a Welsh woman to meet Ben's family in Georgia, they loved one another dearly. She was a dedicated wife, mother, second mother to her children's best friends, and enjoyed many of her own friendships. Some aspects of this period of her life were difficult, including Ben's death on January 17, 1994. However, she met every challenge straight on, because that was who she was.
Ever independent, Jan rebuilt her life in Alexandria, Virginia. During this time, she followed her passions, diving into photography, dancing, and travelling. In 1996, she met Al Boyce. The family didn't quite know what to make of this Texan in a Stetson at first. But Al became her deepest love and closest confidant, and he became a second father to Pat and Julia. Jan and Al married on July 4, 2001, in Newport, Wales. They were delighted to spoil four grandchildren, Alex and Josh Higdon, and Zac and Katrina Van Alst. Jan adored her family and was very proud of her children and grandchildren. She was a well of strength and encouragement for them. It was wonderful for her family to see her personal fulfillment during this time, how much joy she found with Al, and how she embraced her life. When they retired in 2016, they moved to Delaware and made many new friends and cherished the strong and vibrant community they found there. Throughout her life, but especially during retirement, Jan spent a lot of time volunteering, from stocking food banks to sewing dolls, because she valued helping others in ways that were meaningful.
She was curious about the world. Whether she was gazing at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or watching sea life (even via submarine!), she would stop in her tracks, fascinated, taking in everything. She relished sitting in Italian Piazzas, going too far and too fast on scooters, finding rings of stones in the Welsh hills, and discovering other wonders, with the people she held dear. She was tremendously fun and engaging. She was generous and strong. She often lifted a wine glass and smiled.
The best ways to honor Jan are by preserving happy memories, stopping to marvel at nature and art, stepping into each phase of life with courage and commitment, championing the causes of those who are hurting, taking a long walk, and-perhaps most of all-laughing with those we love.
Her family on both sides of the Atlantic have planned two Memorial Services to celebrate her life. The first will be held on July 27, 2023, from 2:30-5:00pm at The Clubhouse at Springmill, 2 Windmill Lane, Middletown, Delaware. The second will be held in Newport, Wales in September. Her family will share details of her Memorial Service in Wales as they become settled.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations to these organizations are welcomed, or to any others:
The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center
https://giving.christianacare.org/
Animal Welfare League of Arlington, Virginia
https://www.awla.org/donate/
Native Plant Trust
https://www.nativeplanttrust.org/