Maria Izabel Janis

Maria I. Janis., 93, passed away Thursday, September 11, 2025. She was born in Kobe, Japan.

She was a creative and multi-talented woman. Her career included serving meritoriously as a military wife, raising her children, working as a kindergarten teacher's aide for over a decade in the Newport News Public School System, a bilingual bank teller to service the arrival of the Canon Corporation to the peninsula area, and a professional seamstress who opened her own business and maintained a strong following of clients, many of whom became good friends. She ultimately retired in her 70s to enjoy traveling and visiting her many grandkids.

She was a beloved mother & Nana. Her favorite place was with – and feeding – her family, by whom she was surrounded in her final days.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Jack Janis Jr. who was the love of her life and grandchildren Erin and Sean. Survivors include their four children, Jack Edward Janis (Bonnie) of Clover, SC; Donna Janis Armstrong (Clif) of Conover, NC; Christine "Sisi" Janis Pittman (Jon) of Woodbridge and R. Michael Janis of Newport News; her siblings, Olga Dale (Jack) of Twin Cities, MN; Linda Earle of Tucson AZ; ten beloved grandchildren, Laura (JP), Lindsey, Brandon (Kendall), Andrew, Mac, Izabel, Suki, Drew, George, and Jack; and five great-grandchildren, Eric, Jaxon, Jordan, Ben and Meredith; brother-in-law Ralph G. Janis (Barbara); sister-in-law Teruko Guterres; and many, many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:30pm on Thursday September 18, 2025 at Altmeyer Funeral Home- Denbigh Chapel, immediately followed by a 1:30pm service and then private burial.

Memorial donations may take the form of contributions to CHKD, 601 Children's Lane, Norfolk, VA 23507; Attn: Donations Department.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at altmeyerfuneralandcremation.com