Janice Epp

Janice M. Epp, Ph.D. Prominent clinical sexologist and educator, fifth-generation San Franciscan, and longtime resident of Palo Alto, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning at of California Pacific Medical Center Davies after a brief battle with cancer fought with her legendary sense of humor, courage, and determination. Our beloved Janice was surrounded by her family and friends; her cats Annie and Gillian; her partner Jim Frieman and companion Marvin Segall, both of whom comforted and cared for her all through her illness; and an incomparable CPMC Davies medical team led by Dr. Charles Moser. She was 65 years of age.
Janice was a graduate of Lincoln High School, attended CCSF and SFSU, and received her B.A. from Antioch University and her Ph.D. from the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. Janice was renowned as a passionate and inspiring teacher, and many of her students have gone on to distinguished careers. She was a brilliant clinician, a wise mentor and a fearless crusader for sexual science. Janice's love for people endeared her to a large circle of friends and colleagues.
A trained and experienced soprano with interests ranging from early music and opera to rock 'n' roll, she performed with Bay Area choral groups including the San Francisco Concert Chorale and opera companies including West Bay Opera and Fremont Opera. Janice loved her family, friends and cats extravagantly, and was always the life of the party; she loved good champagne and chardonnay. She had a lifelong passion for the San Francisco Giants, and was overjoyed with the 2010 and 2012 World Series championships. Her devotion to the 49ers was equally rabid. An avid and expert skier, the annual Whistler ski pilgrimage with Jim and Marvin was the high point of her year.
Over the course of her career, Janice served as Assistant Professor of Health Science at Skyline College; Clinical Professor at the American Academy of Clinical Sexologists; and Professor and Dean of the Faculty at the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. A longtime member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, she served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Western Region of SSSS.
Janice is survived by her beloved partner of 40 years Dr. James Frieman; her loving friend of 33 years Marvin Segall; Stewart Bowles (father) and his wife, Jean; Velma Kingsbury (mother) and Tom Mazzolini; Ann and Ken Kingsbury (siblings) and Ken's fiancée Carolyn Walker; aunts Christine Hills (Clay Johnson), Cynthia Hills Gailey (Mark), Diane Hills McCue (Pat) and Susan Hills; many nieces and nephews; and countless close friends around the world, including members of the Leisure Club, fellow singers, former students, and colleagues.
A private memorial and interment will be held in January at Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto. Arrangements for a larger celebration of Janice's life are in preparation.
Rest well, sweet Otter. We're with you and loving you, always.