August 31, 1933 – November 18, 2023
information provided by the family
Janice Lee McMahon-Leadbetter (90) passed to Glory on November 18, 2023, in Largo, FL.
Janice was born on August 31, 1933, in Newton, IA, the second of six girls, and grew up in Iowa and Chicago, IL. While working at her family’s restaurant, Janice met her husband of 73 years, Richard “Dick” Leadbetter. He swept her off her feet, and their first date was to see Lawrence Welk and his band at Trianon Ballroom. Janice and Dick married in 1950 and moved to Lansing, IL, where they raised their four wonderful children, Steve (Cheri), Linda (Fred), Nancy (Bill), and Carol (Tim). Janice was a loving and involved parent, always the first to volunteer. She served as a Boy Scout pack mother, Girl Scout leader, and PTA Organizer.
Janice didn’t learn to drive until after she married, and it was with great pride that she not only got her license, but also became a professional bus driver working for Kickert, the state of Indiana, and Van Der Aa. Upon retirement, Janice and Dick spent the summers at their cottage in Bass Lake, IN, and the winters at their home in Port Richey, FL. Janice loved traveling and visited 49 of the 50 states, was an avid camper, and demonstrated a life of service by volunteering no matter where she lived or how busy she was.
Janice was a woman of many talents. She was an award-winning quilter; she was gifted at crafting and sewing, and researching and sharing family history; she enjoyed spending time with her friends at the clubhouse. Most importantly, she was a loving, compassionate, and generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend. She will forever be remembered for homemade dinners, the smell of your favorite dessert baking, handmade halloween costumes, baby blankets sewn with loving care, always being there when needed, and the biggest hugs.
Janice is survived by her husband, four children, 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, one great-great grandson, four sisters, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Details for Janice’s celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
