4/3/1941-11/14/2025 Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Janice Groeneman, passed away at home from natural causes. She was 84. Janice was born in Miami, Okla., to farmers Armin and Ruth Hamilton Groeneman, the youngest of four siblings and a delight to the family. Janice received B.A. (1963) and M.A. (1964) degrees in elementary education from Oklahoma State University. In 1963, she married Charles Brooks Shafer, and they served in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, moving to Dallas after. She worked as a fourth-grade teacher before starting her own family in 1967. Janice spent almost 20 years at home with her three children before going back to school and earning an Associates degree in advertising art from Brookhaven College. She ended up working there, first helping nontraditional students (usually single moms) start their education, and later helping older adults, retiring as director of senior adult services at 70. Janice's great passion was travel and she visited at least 20 countries and all the U.S. states. She drove the 2,000-mile Oregon Trail alone in 2001, exemplifying her independent nature and love of history. She dragged her children to historical sites all over the U.S., which they later appreciated as they developed similar interests. Artistically gifted, Janice enjoyed calligraphy, watercolor, drawing, and had a great eye for color and design. Janice felt a deep responsibility to help others, sponsoring her first Christian Children's Fund child when she was just a teen and supporting many charities during her life. She was also a staunch advocate for women's health, long donating to Planned Parenthood. Since Janice's death, the family has heard wonderful tributes; she is remembered as sweet-natured, intelligent, curious, strong, and kind-hearted. Part of a large family, Janice was treasured by many. Survivors include children Alan Shafer (Sunny), Karen Shafer, and Leah Shafer Glaser (Greg); grandson Brooks Glaser; sister Mary Ruth Harner (Joe); sisters-in-law Mary Groeneman (Warren, dec.) and Maunette Groeneman (Austin, dec.); and dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, and via livestream, with a reception to follow. Please join us and share your memories of Janice or learn about this remarkable woman. If you want to give in her name, she supported Dallas Morning News Charities.