JANICE JOHNS BURIAN

July 11, 1943 to June 22, 2018

Janice Johns Burian, 74, passed peacefully into God’s loving embrace on June 22, 2018 at her home in Richland, Washington.

Janice was born on July 11, 1943, in Salt Lake City, Utah to George and Ardath Johns.  She grew up in Salt Lake City until 1943 when her family moved to Richland, Washington.  In her teen years, she appeared several times on the television program Starlit Stairway featuring her singing and dancing. She enjoyed tap dancing, traveling and visiting with loved ones.

She was married to Larry McGee in 1960 and together they were blessed with two loving daughters, Tammy and Debbie.  Even though her faith was strong, the marriage did not last and in 1977 they were divorced.  Janice remarried in 1981 to Ted Burian and was with him until his passing in 1997. 

Janice was known as an inspirational, caring, dedicated, independent and humorous woman.  Her smile was infectious, and although she carried her love of God with her daily … she was also a fighter.  She fought two rounds of cancer, but by her recent third round, it became too much for her body to handle.  It was her life’s mission to lift up others and she seemed to be drawn to those in need, helping them to the Lord.  Janice became a mother with the birth of her first child, Tammy in 1960.  Then in 1962 she gave birth to another daughter, Debra. After losing her own mother in 1968, she became like a mother to her younger siblings, in addition to raising her own children. She had a beautiful singing voice, loved singing at church and was often asked to sing at weddings. She also had an adventurous side since she drove two solo trips on the Alaska Highway long before cell phones were available, as she often professed, “With God all things are possible.”

In 1963 she attended Beauty College in Kennewick, Washington and achieved her stylist license. She began her hairstyling career in 1965 at Lavern’s Beauty Shop in Richland, and worked at several other shops in the Richland area for 35 years.  She gained a devoted clientele of loving people over her years helping others look beautiful. Ready to try something new, Janice became a Caretaker through Department of Social and Health Services helping people read, running errands with them, and being their friend.

Her faith in Jesus and ministering His word was a huge part of her life.  Janice attended Richland Assembly of God Church in Richland, Washington.  In the 1980’s she volunteered for street ministries in Seattle, Washington.   In addition to these, she provided 22 years of love and support to the Tri-Cities Women’s Jail Outreach in Richland.  She lived her faith each day of her life.  One day, she found a man hiding in her garbage can…instead of calling the police she ministered to him and tried to get him refocused on God’s path. 

She is survived by her daughter Tammy Fowler and her husband Skip.  Her brothers Tom Johns, Daryl Johns of Putney, Vermont, Terry Johns of Finley, Washington, and her sister Janell Johns of Snohomish, Washington.  Her grandchildren, Jon and Brooklyn Fowler of Richland, Washington and Kristin and Scot Thomson of Yuma, Arizona.  Her great-grandchildren Lucas and Olivia Thomson of Yuma, Arizona.  She was preceded in death by her daughter Debra Lynn McGee, her parents George and Ardath Johns, and her second husband Ted Burian.

Janice’s Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Friday, July 13, 2018, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richland Community Center, Room 3, in Richland, Washington.  Private inurnment will be at Einan’s Sunset Gardens in Richland, Washington.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations in memory of Janice to:  Tri-Cities Women’s Jail Outreach, P.O. Box 1218, Richland, Washington 99352