Janice Anne McFarlin Vassigh October 14, 1944 – January 15, 2025

Janice Anne McFarlin Vassigh, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend, joined her Lord and Savior in her eternal home on January 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family in her Klein, Texas home. Born on October 14, 1944, in Hallettsville, Texas, Janice was a lifelong learner, educator, and artist whose vibrant personality left an indelible mark on all who knew her.

A proud graduate of Schulenburg High School (1962) and Sam Houston State University (1967), Janice dedicated her life to education as an English and Theatre Arts teacher, inspiring countless students across multiple schools until her retirement in 2009 from Klein Intermediate School. Her fervor for teaching and directing extended beyond the classroom as she was both director and cast member in church and local plays and productions, coach to all five of her children's soccer teams, and founder of the first summer soccer camp in the area: the Houston Northwest Soccer Camp.

Janice's faith was a cornerstone of her life as a devout Christian and Champion Forest Baptist Church member, where she sang in the choir and performed in the Christmas Spectacular production. She expressed her love for performing through dancing at a dance studio, mastering the jitterbug, waltz, and other styles, and was a cherished member of the Tap Happy Dancers. Janice was known for her warmth, wit, storytelling, and incredible recall of states, capitals, and countries. Her kindness, creativity, and genuine caring curiosity about other's passions and backgrounds made her a friend to all and ensured she never met a stranger.

An artist at heart, Janice expressed her creativity through painting, crafting beautiful works in her younger years, and through her life-size nativity scene that became a Christmas tradition known throughout her community. Her love for storytelling shone as she captivated children with her theatrical story times in elementary classrooms, leaving lasting memories for her grandchildren's friends.

Janice was an unwavering supporter of her family and their passions, attending countless games, events, and performances as their number one cheerleader. She loved soccer and was a devoted Houston Dynamo fan, earning the title "Fan of the Match" on October 11, 2017.

Janice supported charities and community organizations, especially when a cause touched her heart. She supported and promoted charity events and awareness to help find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. She supported organizations raising funds and awareness for congenital heart defects, mental health and many organizations through her church.

Janice lived by the mantra she often shared: 'Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better best". Whatever she did, she gave her all, striving to make each moment and endeavor the best possible. This guiding principle shaped her life and inspired those around her to do the same. Janice's light will continue to shine in the hearts of all who love her.

Janice's life will be celebrated at Champion Forest Baptist Church on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 10 a.m., where her family and friends will gather to honor her remarkable journey.

A visitation will be held at Klein Funeral Home Champion Forest on Sunday, January 26, 2025, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy to help End Duchenne.

She is survived by her children: Daria Clark (husband Tom), Brian Vassigh (wife Deanna), Danica Vassigh, and Sarah Toranto Smith (husband Matt); her grandchildren Andrew Ramirez (wife Jennifer, daughter Eleanor), Julia Ramirez (son Dean), Gabriella Ramirez, Connor Vassigh, Austin Vassigh, Evan Vassigh, Blake Vassigh, David Vassigh, Esabella Vassigh-Botello, Reagan Vassigh, Monroe Grace Vassigh-Thomson, her sisters Betty Jo (McFarlin) Brock, Dorothy Edwina "Winnie" (McFarlin) Hutsell; many nieces and nephews; and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Lauren Janée Vassigh; grandson Thomas Jacob Toranto IV; her mother, June Dean Harris; and her father, Elbert Sidney McFarlin.

Janice was the 11th of eleven children born to E.S. McFarlin. Her nickname with her family was "Baby Anne," as her parents agreed on her middle name before finalizing an agreement on her first name, Janice, many weeks later. Johnnie Lee McFarlin and Urah Adelia 'Sister' (McFarlin) Johnson were born to E.S. McFarlin's first wife, who died at Sister's birth. Daddy and Mother married four years later and gave birth to Sidney Buford McFarlin, Imogene Ruth (McFarlin) McClay, Olgra Ouida (McFarlin) Mitchell, Mahlon Burl McFarlin, Betty Jo (McFarlin) Brock, Kathryn Otheta "Kitty" (McFarlin) Hollabaugh, Dorothy Edwina "Winnie" (McFarlin) Hutsell, Howard Ray "Boy" McFarlin, and Janice Anne (McFarlin) Vassigh. Janice was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings and is survived by Betty and Edwina.

Video of Celebration of Life Memorial Service 01-27-2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzYVbR5Vwcc