Jan Bianchi

Jan Bianchi

Jan Bianchi died in the early morning of August 20, 2016 after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She was 72. Jan was surrounded by love and laughter throughout her illness and was fortunate to have enthusiastic care and support from her families of origin and choice.

Born in Wichita, Kansas to David and Bettie Phillips, Jan was the youngest of three girls. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Tricia. The family moved to Seattle in 1955 and while international travel took her abroad for a few years, she loved the Northwest and particularly the Pacific Coast. Jan spent time in the Peace Corps in eastern Nigeria and after graduating from law school lived in So Tome; and Portugal before returning to Seattle.

A fighter for social justice and equal rights, Jan began her law career at Evergreen Legal Services and then had her own practice in Columbia City, well before the neighborhood bloomed into what it is today. She finished her law career at the Washington State Department of Revenue. In her free time she worked to ensure full access to legal abortion for women in Washington State, LGBTQ equality and advancing other progressive causes. In retirement she became a woodworker and built many beautiful pieces of furniture.

Along with friends and family, Jan built an amazing cabin over looking the ocean, which was her favorite place. Anyone lucky enough to have visited knows well the special nature of the cabin, and Jan's expectation that visitor would help pop trees, haul brush or relax in the hand-made wood-fired hot tub she built.

Jan was preceded in death by the two loves of her life, Barry Bianchi and Sue Schubert. She is survived by her two grandsons, Barry and Wyatt, who she thought were utterly amazing, as well as her daughter, Rachel. Her sister, Judy, also survives her and was an amazing blessing during her illness, which allowed the two to deepen their relationship. Jan also leaves behind a family of friends, many of whom celebrated Sunday Dinner with her weekly and loved her fiercely.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, September 11 at 2:00 pm at the Mount Baker Community Club, followed by a final Sunday Dinner with her family.