Jenny 'VanMeter' Almeciga added this message on July 27, 2010:

Jana was someone I looked up to all my life. She was soo smart, elegant, funny, and just knew how to have a great time! Not only was she my cousin she was a great friend. We shared lots of great/crazy times together. When I found out about her passing I spent all day going thru the photo albums I have of our times together. Dan, I took soo much comfort in knowing you were beside her thru all her hard times. You are a great man, and this memorial site is wonderful! I missed out on soo much of her life. I can still hear her laugh and her soft voice in my head. You of all people know how special she was, I am thinking of you! Jimmy, I soo sorry for your loss of not only your sister but your best friend. We shared some great times together,I laugh everytime I think of my wedding and coming to get you guys at the airport. Then our skydiving adventure, I had to watch that video 'free fallin'. Jim and Patricia, having children of my own, Im in pain for you in the loss of your daughter. I keep you all in my prayers, and hope you find comfort in knowing we will all miss Jana, she was truly a unique and beautiful person. I will cherish my memories of her forever!

Marisol added this message on July 27, 2010:

Dr. Pershing was my professor for a seminar course I took in the Spring of 2008. She was an excellent educator and human being. And I learned so much from her. Everything I took away from her class I've applied to all parameters of my life. I am very sad she passed away but at long last she is no longer in pain.
~M~

Leon & Faye Black (cousins) added this message on July 27, 2010:

We are very saddened at Jana's passing.
Though our contact with her after she left Indiana was minimal, we were always extremely proud of her accomplishments.
We are so thankful for Dan's love and dedication to Jana all these years. Such love is a rare occurrence and a blessed gift.
Though Jana has passed on, her contibutions will continue to enrich the academic world and the causes she championed.
Jana will live on in our hearts and memories.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan, Jim, Patricia, Jimmy, Natalie, Dara and Young Jimmy.

Richard Foster added this message on July 27, 2010:

I knew neither Jana nor Dan, but read his love for Jana on the Reduser thread. I know that jana and Dan shared a great love, and that love comes from God, because God is love. My prayer now is that God's love engulf and uphold Dan in his grief, and that God's peace embrace him. My prayers are for your comfort. Jana has entered her eternal life.

Frances VanMeter added this message on July 27, 2010:

I am saddened by Jan's passing, and offer Patricia, Jim James, Natalie and their children my deepset sympathies.

Andre McGee added this message on July 27, 2010:

I pray your strength in this trying time. You are a great man and I'm certain she was a reflection of you. May God bless you and comfort you.

Sean S. added this message on July 26, 2010:

Although I only knew Dr. Pershing for a semester and given the large class I was in, I always felt that she reached out to every student and welcomed them at all moments.

My impressions of her was a soft-spoken, kindhearted, and intelligent woman, who strived on delivering as much knowledge to her students as possible.

She was a wonderful professor, and I am sure she was an even better friend and family member to those close to her.

I hope and pray that her family remains strong and embrace the fact that her suffering has ceased, although it came at a tough price. May God bless!

Brian added this message on July 26, 2010:

Even though I've been friends with Dan for nearly twenty years, I've never really gotten to know Jana the way most of you did. However, it's clear to me from reading the comments and viewing the images within this memorial, that Jana touched the lives of many. So, be thankful.
Dan, you're a good man. Try to keep your head up my friend. I know you have plenty of wonderful memories to keep you smiling. I'll be thinking about you buddy.

Natalie Pershing (Sister-in-law) added this message on July 26, 2010:

Dear Jana,
The moment I met you I felt accepted and loved. I new instantly the relationship you had with Jim was very rare for siblings, and I thought it was beautiful. You were beautiful on the inside and out. I always enjoyed our talks about different shoes you found and loved. You introduced me to Dansko and I have worn them ever since. I always loved the way you would laugh at things most people wouldn't even notice. I loved your style, the way you decorated your condo, so creative and put together. I loved the way you found the most hidden away cafes like Crest Cafe. It became one of our favorite spots to eat. I will never forget the dinner date we shared at PF Changs. I found myself really opening up to you and feeling connected. Jim and I enjoyed taking the salsa dance classes with you and Dan. We would laugh so hard at ourselves our sides would ache.
You were a wonderful Aunt. Jimmy and Dara adored you. When I watched you with them, your face had pure love all over it. We all loved to talk about what they might be like in the future. It breaks my heart that Jimmy and Dara did not have more time to spend with you. They will always love you.

I have dedicated a song by Eddie Veder titled "The End." The words to me are what you were saying during your struggle with cancer. I will miss you so much. I will miss hearing Jim laughing with you as you remembered old stories from your childhood. I will miss so much about you.
Love Always,
Natalie

Shannon Sellers (former student) added this message on July 26, 2010:

Dear Jana,

Thank you for helping me to become a better educator. I was always amazed by your brilliance, impeccable organization, and attention to detail. You put your entire heart and all of your energy into your classes. There were days in the classroom that were hard for you, but you never wanted us to know that. Although you were a very private person, I appreciated that you started to share more and more of yourself as the class went on. I enjoyed your stories about growing up in Indiana and about that one misbehaving student at the back of the classroom. I wish I could have known you in a greater capacity. I wish I could have told you all of this long ago, but I didn't want to be a bother. I thank you and Dan for creating this space for all of us. We miss you already.

-Shannon