Dr. Janice V. Woolverton

1951 - 2019

Dr. Janice V. Woolverton

Palm Springs - May 19, 1951 - February 4, 2019

Dr. Janice Woolverton, beloved of family and friends, passed away much too soon at the age of 67.

She grew up in Naples, Long Beach with parents, Charles and Virginia, and younger sister, Linda. Her early schooling included Naples Elementary School, Will Rogers Jr. High and Woodrow Wilson High School.

Jan was always drawn to the sea. For many years she played, swam and sailed in Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. She and her family often sailed from there to Catalina Island. As an adult, she would enjoy night diving with sharks in Hawaii. Jan was always ready for the next challenging adventure.

Medical science was her greatest interest. After she completed her nursing degree at Long Beach City College, she worked in the emergency room of St. Mary's Hospital in Long Beach. Only twenty years old, she was often left in charge of the emergency room on the weekends. She loved the job but soon, she was ready for the next challenge. Jan was among the small percentage of women admitted to USC Dental School. After achieving her DDS there, she opened a private dental practice in Yorba Linda. Jan's office was always filled with kindness, warmth and generosity.

Jan loved animals as much as science. She adored her dachshund, Holly, and rescued a large Macaw from the beach in Laguna Niguel to whom she gave a home for the rest of his life. She also had several cats that she loved dearly.

A serious injury forced Jan to give up her dental practice which was very difficult for a woman of such drive and passion for helping others She relocated to the desert which she found just as intriguing as the sea. It was in Rancho Mirage that she met her beloved soul mate, Leo Norton. She spent the happiest twelve years of her life making a home and traveling with him to such places as Hawaii, Ireland, the Florida Keys and Arizona.

Dr. Janice Woolverton is survived by her mother, Virginia Skinner, her sister, Linda Woolverton, her niece, Keaton Flicker as well as Leo Norton, his loving family and her dog, Emma.

Jan will be remembered by all who knew her. We wish her well on this her greatest adventure.

Services will be held on Sunday Feb. 24, 2019 at Forest Lawn Cathedral City.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. Palm Springs, CA 92664.