Janice Condit Elliott

Jan was born on September 12, 1924, in Fresno to Zella Pearce and Monroe Condit. She was raised in Visalia, where her parents had the courage to open a flower shop during the Depression. Jan often reminisced about life in a small town where everyone knew one another.

After graduating with honors from Visalia Union High School, Jan attended the University of California, Berkeley. While there, she lived at Stern Hall, played tennis, wrote for The California Pelican, the college humor magazine, and volunteered as a nurse’s aide at Cowell Hospital. Jan graduated in June 1946 with an A.B. in Psychology. After college, Jan lived and worked in San Francisco, including at Hastings Clothing and Pacific Bell. Jan and Don were married in 1948, and in 1954, they relocated to Hillsborough to accommodate their growing family.

While raising their six children, Jan pursued her interest in Ikebana and art history, attending classes at CSM. Jan then became a prize-winning floral designer and accomplished visual artist. Alongside her artistic pursuits, Jan joined The League of Women Voters and was elected local League President.

In 1980, Jan pursued a three-year docent training program at the de Young Museum, specializing in African, Oceana, and Americas Art. She later undertook docent training at the Asian Art Museum and served as an art docent for almost two decades at both museums. During her docent years, Jan deepened her expertise and love for Asian art, taking on various leadership roles at the museum, and in addition, touring significant locations in Tibet, China, Korea, and Taiwan.

After retiring from her docent roles in 1999, Jan continued her pursuit of learning through book clubs, avid radio listening, and newspaper reading, making her eager to discuss political events. Jan impressively navigated her iPhone and iPad, staying up to date with the news, playing Wordle, and engaging via text and phone with those around her every day.

Jan was passionate about golf and practiced tenaciously to refine every aspect of her game at the Peninsula Golf & Country Club where she and Don were members for 45 years. Jan deeply valued the myriad friendships she cultivated along the way. While not on the golf course, Jan could often be found on her daily two-mile walks, which she continued until her last day.

Jan expressed her faith through often saying, “I pray for love and forgiveness, and the gift of grace.”

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jan’s memory may be made to either KQED, Population Connection, or Planned Parenthood-Mar Monte. A memorial is planned for early in the new year.