Janice Gomez

Janice Ross Gomez, age 79, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah, having endured gracefully 7 years of Parkinson’s disease. She was born on September 12, 1935, in Ogden, Utah to George Alford and Iona Ross.
As a teenager, Janice had three primary goals in life: go to Hawaii to learn hula dancing, serve a full-time mission for the LDS Church, and have a family. She was able to complete all three in her time here.
Shortly after graduating from Ogden High School, Janice accomplished her first goal when she travelled to Hawaii and began her study of hula dancing. Over the next 20 years she continued to study and perform her beloved dance form with grace and joy, including teaching “Little Brown Gal” to Felicia and Monica and her granddaughters (and any willing grandsons).
At age 21, Janice fulfilled her goal of serving as a full-time missionary when she was called to the Central American Mission. While serving among the wonderful people of Guatemala, she met fellow missionary, Elder Richard Gomez, who she would later marry in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on May 26, 1961. A little more than a year later, Janice would fulfill her final goal of having a family when she gave birth to their daughter Felicia. Eleven months later, to their surprise the newlywed’s added twins Monica and Mark, and four years after that she gave birth to their baby Davie.
Janice and Richard raised their family in Salt Lake City and were members of the Lucero Ward. Janice had a lifelong passion to serve others and served as Young Women president and helped manage the Lucero Folklorico dance group. In 1977, Janice served alongside Richard when he was called to be the president of the Mexico Monterrey Mission. The sister missionaries were blessed to have Hermana Gomez as their cheerleader and mentor. When the family returned to Salt Lake City, they moved into the South Cottonwood Second Ward, where Janice served as the Primary president (twice) and as the Relief Society President.
Janice’s “lovely Hula Hands” rolled tortillas, crocheted dishcloths, sewed cutting edge Bermuda shorts and occasionally won at Solitaire and Nerts. Throughout her life, she loved to talk to people and this love stayed with her to the end. She kept us all entertained with what we affectionately call her “Janeyisms”- “tricycles for trifocals”. Her greatest joy is being a wife, mother, grandmother and adoptive mother to many.
“Dad, thank you for tirelessly caring for mom and making sure that yours was the first face she saw in the morning and the last face she saw at night. This gave her great comfort and strength.” We will miss her bright shining smile and tender heart that touched so many people. Even through her challenges she gracefully endured well.
She is survived by her husband Richard Gomez, children Felicia (Vince) Boothe, Monica (Chris) Rogerson, Mark (Cindy) Gomez, Dave (Noel) Gomez, and sixteen grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday February 14th at 11 am at the Cottonwood Acres Chapel on 891 East Revere Circle, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends and family are invited to join us at a viewing on Friday February 13th from 6 to 8 pm at Murray Memorial on 5850 South 900 East, Murray Utah or one hour prior to services.
Memorial donations can be sent to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or to Parkinson’s Research.