Service update as of 8/10/2022, please see details at the bottom of obituary.

Janice Kathleen Wheeler, beloved family member, passed peacefully June 17, 2022 at Anne Arundel Medical Center due to complications from Lewy Body Dementia. She was 75. Janice was born January 30, 1947 in Baltimore, Maryland to Howard and Helen (nee Chesshire) Wheeler, Sr., both deceased. She was raised in Severna Park where she enjoyed many activities as a child , graduating from Severna Park High School in 1965. She then earned a medical assistant certificate but found longtime employment at the Riverdale Restaurant on the Magothy, where co-workers and regulars became like family. Janice also worked briefly at Macy's and North Arundel Hospital. As a young adult Janice traveled to Greece, Europe, Hawaii and the Caribbean with relatives.

After her mother's passing Jan helped care for the family home and her father until she found her own home in Brooklyn, MD. There she delighted in being a homemaker. Her Christian faith led to joining local church activities including singing in the church choir. It was there that her beautiful soprano voice was recognized. She joined a touring group putting on productions through the Midwest and South. She was also a member of the Annapolis Chorale. Janice and long time companion Bob shared a love for steamed crabs, photography, computers and travel, making excursions to the American West and Acadia National Park. Janice found unconditional love in animals and advocated for strays in her neighborhood. Her yellow labs, Buddy, Wilson, Hannah and Maggie, were her children and accompanied her often in her van. Two of her cats were named after brothers "Howie" and "Bo". Despite serious illness as a child and young adult that presented challenges, Janice showed spunk and a great sense of humor throughout her life. Her sweet and gentle disposition as "Aunt Janny" greatly impacted her niece and nephews. She was a favorite family member, always invited to parties and events. Jan shared a fun-loving relationship with her brother-in-law Pat, who affectionately called her "Jan Baby". Janice became a resident of Fairfield Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in early 2019 where she bonded with fellow residents and helped with social activities. The Covid lockdown at the facility greatly affected her overall health but not her spirit. She recently told her niece Kerry "I'm the luckiest girl alive". Her greeting "have a blessed day" was doled out to strangers and friends alike.

Janice was also pre-deceased by a brother, Howard Wheeler, Jr. and her Aunt Annie (nee Chesshire) and Uncle Kent Jenkins, who were a strong presence in her life.

Surviving Janice are a sister Judy O'Malley (Pat) of Severna Park, brother Rick Wheeler (Elsie) of Aurora, Co., niece Kerry Gray (Joe) of Lake Ridge, Va., nephews Michael O'Malley of Charlotte, NC, Sean O'Malley (Sarah) of Lutherville, Md. and their children Chloe, Payton, and Lucas as well as numerous cousins.

The family wishes to acknowledge the many friends, known and unknown, who helped Jan over the years, as well as the staff at Fairfield Nursing & Rehab Center.

Donations in Janice's memory can be made to the animal non-profit of your choosing. The family looks forward to a celebration of Jan's life this Fall. Please check the Barranco Funeral home website for details.

UPDATE as of 8/10/2022

A Celebration of Life for Janice will be held Friday, September 30th, 3-5 pm., at Boone Station Hall, 623 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd., Severna Park. Please visit the Boone Station website for details: https://www.spcommunitycenter.org/boone-station-hall.html