Janice Roberts, beloved wife, mom, grandmother, aunt, niece, and friend, died Monday, May 9, 2022, at her home in Arvada, Colorado. She was 72 years old.
Janice Viola Carmichael (Roberts) was born August 1, 1949 to Gilbert and Mildred Carmichael on a migrant working camp in Palisade, Colorado. The youngest of five children, Janice often described her childhood as difficult and arduous.
Finding solace in pursuing her education, Janice graduated from Grand Junction High School at the age of 17 and left home to enter the new field of data processing. Janice was the first in her family to attend college and earned an Associate’s degree in Computer Information Technology from Mesa Community College and later a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Technology from Metropolitan State College.
Working in the corporate world was important to Janice and she diligently pursued both a career and a family in the Denver area. Janice married James McIlnay in 1976 and became mother to Sean, born in 1979, and Erin, born in 1981. Janice later married Bruce Roberts in 1987.
Animals, especially cats and horses, always held a special place in Janice’s heart throughout her life. The Roberts household was consistently home to at least four cats and later several horses. Janice became a ‘Westernaire mom,’ supporting her kids’ horse endeavors and developing a passion for riding herself. The highlight of Janice’s horseback riding time was competing in reining classes as part of the Rocky Mountain Quarter Horse Association.
Janice retired from working in pricing operations for Verizon Wireless at the end of 2014 and filled her time with new hobbies of scuba diving and flower gardening. After obtaining their scuba diving certifications, Janice and Bruce took organized dive trips to Egypt, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and the Caribbean. Closer to home, Janice became a Colorado Master Gardener and established a backyard flower garden teeming with her favorite flowers of coleus, Denver daises, and dahlias.
Janice is survived by James McIlnay, Marsha McIlnay, Sean McIlnay, Erin (McIlnay) Hirsch, Jeremy Hirsch, Qynn McIlnay, Adelyn Hirsch, Jude Hirsch, Bruce Roberts, David Roberts, Tatiana Contreras, Bryan Roberts, Paige Roberts, Felix Roberts, Jordan Roberts, Beverly (Roberts) King, Scott King, nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends.
In place of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Janice’s name to the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance ( https://www.colo-ovariancancer.org/).
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 28th at 1:30 PM at 15650 State Highway 72, Arvada, CO 80007. Guests are welcome to plant a flower in Janice’s beloved garden.
Janice will be missed by many.
Oh Janice. I’m so saddened you’re gone. Such a bright light. Love playing scuba with you!
Very Very Sad to hear Janice demise. Really enjoyed working with Janice. Great mentor and leader. May her soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to family.
So sorry to hear about Janice’s passing. My thoughts are prayers are with you all. Much love to the family.
Our love of felines and many happy shared times leave me with beautiful, treasured memories. You will be sorely missed, dear friend, but never forgotten. My deepest sympathy to family and friends at this time of loss. Rest In Peace, lovely lady, always in my heart.