Salem – Janis Lyn Hanson, born September 13, 1954 passed away on November 1, 2019 after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Janis worked at the US Post Office in Wakefield, and continued to work there until retirement. Janis will be remembered for her love of gardening, doing puzzles, and watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every day.

Janis leaves behind her loving wife of 32 years Katheleen E. Van Riper; her stepsons Matthew C. Van Riper of Everett, MA, and Michael R. Van Riper and his wife Amalia of Little Falls, NJ; her grandchildren Cameron M. Van Riper, Kasey L. Gordon, and Michael R. Van Riper II; her mother Eleanor Gibney of Salem, MA; her sister Joyce and her husband Donald Weston of Sandwich, NH; her brother Scott Havenook and his wife Cheryl of Goldsboro, NC; her goddaughter Ashley Gayhart of NH, along with Kathy's extended family, several nieces and nephews and her large extended family from Home Depot and her Wildflower Group. Janis is preceded in death by her father John Havenook Jr. from Peabody, MA.

Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, November 7 at the Murphy Funeral Home from 2 PM to 6 PM, located at 85 Federal Street, Salem MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Janis' memory to the Gynecological Oncology Fund, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114 c/o Marcella G. Delcarmen, MD. For more information or online guestbook please visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com or call 978-744-0497.

Below is a memorial for Janis from her son, Michael:

Janis will be missed greatly, every day of our lives; her quick-witted humor & intelligence is what made her fun & loving.

Janis was a dedicated friend, a loyal companion to my mother & the family we shared. Even though Janis resisted the formation of a family unit, she couldn't; because it all emerged organically, naturally developing as it did and in her quiet nature, she embraced the loving energy that only comes from family, with every holiday, birthday, special event, the childhood & angst of adolescence, the joys & tragedies of adulthood and then with the birth of grandchildren…..doing it all over again! Janis was unshakeable, steady as a rock, sailing smooth, unaffected by rough waters, to the very end.

She loved us & we loved her,,,,,, it was inescapable.

Our family was unique, in a time & era when two women as head of a household & raising children wasn't a popular notion as it is today. There was a sense of shame on my part which I kept hidden from school mates, colleagues & acquaintances. I never had many close friends, but the ones I did have knew & accepted my family dynamic without judgement. These are the friendships which have endured.

Janis came on the scene sometime around 1986, along with a kindness which emanated from her spirit. A calm & unaffected, glowing, soft, fair skinned, finely cropped white-haired angel with a long rat tail. At a time & place in which (if you don't believe things happen for a reason) God had placed her in our lives. I have always said for 30+ years "Thank God for Janis"

Janis & I shared a special connection, our adversarial relationship was affectionate; kind of like, that snot picking 3rd grader, sitting behind the quiet smart girl yanking on her pig tails. It was when she expressed frustration toward me that I knew how much she really cared. We would bust each other chops incessantly. I had become to her, almost like a playful nemesis, a formidable counterpart that gave her a run for her money. Because I knew she wasn't outwardly expressive, any chance I had to encroach upon her personal space, to get really close (annoyingly so of course) & caress her face playfully or steal a smooch or hug looking for a reaction I would. To no surprise later in life she embraced my endearing
overtures.

Words were never lost between us, because we didn't need them, we both knew the depths of love and admiration we had for one another. She taught me that its not always important to speak, that its ok not to.

The burden of shame was reconciled during the last few days of Janis's life when I proudly told people in my life now "that I needed to be with my Mother" the spirit of our connection transcended any feelings, thoughts, opinions or judgements.

"Mom, I love you, I am grateful for your presence & influence in Ma's life & in mine, you will always be missed, loved & never forgotten. Your spirit will be held close to our hearts, thoughts & emotions for the rest of our lives here on earth & beyond"

Love Mike.