Janice Dilley Newell, 71

Janice Dilley Newell, born Janice Mae Dilley, in Spokane, Wash., July 23, 1938, passed away at home in Boise, Idaho, on Feb. 10, 2010. She valiantly fought her breast cancer to the very last. She is survived by her companion Marv Horn, and her family: her daughter Margaret Faye Newell (and Don Turriaga) of Seattle, Wash.; her son David Bryan Newell (and Heather Patrick) and her beloved grandson Sean Patrick and much loved granddaughter Shannon Mae of Gaithersburg, M.D.; her brother, Larry Dilley of Spokane and her sister, Joy Hummer of Boise.

Janice married her high school sweetheart, Bill Newell, in 1957 shortly after graduation from West Valley High School. With her brother Larry Dilley, they purchased “Western Soap” and later operated “The Hauser Lake Inn.” Jan was a Realtor in Post Falls, Idaho, and led a diverse life, being a business owner, a rancher, a Realtor and then returning to school to become an attorney. After law school Janice came to Boise where she clerked for Judge Alfred (Bud) Hagan in the bankruptcy court and then joined the IRS District Counsel for 10 years. Janice had by then become one of the best in her specialty of bankruptcy law; she ultimately worked for the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office and hoped to get back on the job there soon ‘cause she wasn’t ready to retire! Everyone working with Janice respected her extraordinary knowledge of the bankruptcy practice and her willingness to share this expertise. 

Janice’s diligence, generosity and resourcefulness will be missed by her co-workers, friends and family. She gathered people together wherever she went and left friends everywhere. She had energy and drive, loved the outdoors and was always ready for a getaway or an adventure. She was tough, but she cared deeply. 

Janice loved garage sales and collecting rocks. Anyone receiving a surprise box was in for a treat! They were her specialty. She grew the most beautiful flowers — a mixed bouquet from her garden was sure to bring happiness to the lucky recipient. From teapots to glass slippers, she collected them all, just as she gathered together a diverse group of people who will each miss her greatly. Good-bye Janice.

A celebration of life has been planned at 1 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2010, at Cloverdale Funeral Home, 1200 N. Cloverdale Road (corner of Cloverdale and Fairview).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a random act of kindness, a contribution to a breast cancer research institution of your choice, or a donation to the Gonzaga University Law School. Checks can be made out to Gonzaga University School of Law — write Janice Newell in the memo line — and mail to: Development Office, P.O. Box 3528, Spokane, WA 99220-3528.

Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Cremation Society of Idaho.