Somer Hall added this message on July 26, 2010:

As many have said, the news of Jana’s passing brings on conflicted feelings. I am so glad that she is no longer in pain, but selfishly wish she didn’t have to leave us well before her time. No teacher influenced me more in the field of sociology, and in particular- teaching sociology. I enjoyed being her teaching assistant semester after semester, and learned more than I could have hoped for in her graduate seminars. She is forever embodied in my teaching methods, and I will never forget her. I pray that she has found peace, and I thank both Jana & Dan for giving us this amazing gift to remember her by. Without a doubt, the world is a little bit dimmer now.

David Kramer added this message on July 26, 2010:

I feel both blessed and cursed because after about ten years out-of-touch, Jana and I re-connected, but just at the start of her battle with cancer, so it prevented a "normal" reunion. Jana and I were TA's together in several soc classes while we were in grad school. We laughed so often, typically being juvenile and laughing at so many inappropriate things. Jana - you were an amazing woman, forceful spirit, impressive intellect. I will cherish your memory, your voice, your love. Always, dave kramer

Kristina Pershing added this message on July 26, 2010:

Having gone thru this with sister in 1998, I share Dan's emotions. Marjana was a brilliant therapist and persistant in human rights. I am Jana's cousin thru marriage, my husband is Timothy Pershing. The loss we feel is selfish, we miss the glowing being we once held, talked with, loved. Our loved ones have returned home, their spirits forever free. Yet we feel them with us every waking moment, they are not gone, just in another dimension. All you need to do is look.....and you will find her. God Bless you Dan, have a beautiful life,keep Jana's dreams alive.

Carin Willis added this message on July 26, 2010:

This memorial website is beautiful. What a touching gift that Jana and Dan created together. Although Jana and I never met "face to face" we shared countless emails and long phone calls beginning in 2005 when we both experienced the unfolding of our health crises. Early on, Jana called the two of us "IC Sisters" and although her journey on this earth has ended, I will always remember her in this way and I still smile as I remember our secret names for our pain and the various treatments that we tried.

In spite of Jana's own suffering, she would take time out of her rigorous teaching schedule and unending health regime to respond to my emails, always responding with her signature intelligence and empathy. In spite of her immense and immeasurable suffering over the past handful of years, Jana never wanted anyone to feel sorry for her. I had never "met" anyone with a more fierce passion for life and the pursuit of intellect combined with a large heart for animals (especially birds) until I met Jana. What an inspiring person and friend she was to me across the many miles over the past five years. I am saddened by her passing but I am glad to know that her physical suffering has ended.

Oh heart, if one should say to you that the soul perishes like the body, answer that the flower withers, but the seed remains. ~Kahlil Gibran

James A. Pershing added this message on July 26, 2010:

I am Jana's father, James A. (Jim) Pershing. As her father I often found guidance in the words and ideas of The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. I especially found helpful the ideas that Jana came through me, but not from me and that my responsibility was to give Jana my love, but not my thoughts. There are two passages from Gibran on parenting that I tried to live up to as Jana's father: our children "... are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself" and "You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth." I sometimes faltered in being Jana's father shaking as I sought to aim the arrow straight in my bow. As I steadied my aim and let go, I found gladness and deep felt parental love for Jana seeing her go swift and oh so far.

This beautiful memorial documents how much of significance and just plain enjoying life Jana packed into a shortened time here on earth. As my wife Patricia and I struggled with letting her go as a child, we came to marvel as to how fast and how far Jana journeyed. My regret is that I fear I did not tell Jana of my love for and pride in her nearly enough. (read more of this post)

Patricia Pershing added this message on July 26, 2010:

It was my honor and privilege to give birth to Jana Lynn. We wanted to have a child so badly, and after 3 years our prayers were answered. Jana was a beautiful and healthy baby girl with such a sweet personality and disposition. From Day 1 she let me know that she was in charge of herself and refused to take naps. Throughout her preschool years Jana was extremely curious yet independent. She loved watching and staring at people, thus unnerving some. I always felt that some of the wonderful traits of Jana's character were passed on through her grandparents. Her great grandmother, Fern Long Held gave her intelligence and affability to Jana. She was a wonderful counselor. Her grandmother, Ruth Held Pershing passed along the love of helping people and being a good listener. Jana's hard work ethic and determination came from Marcella Palmer VanMeter. Her maternal grandmother, Lorena Braxton VanMeter had such a wonderful laugh and sense of humor that she invariably cheered everyone. Jana and her dad loved to people watch and develop lively discussions. She was such a wonderful older sister to her only sibling, Jim Pershing. She decided right off that it was her job to educate him with all the things she already knew. Playing "school" was something that could not be avoided. She certainly made my job as a mother so easy with her calm personality and love of her brother. When Jana graduated from high school she never looked back. She "flapped her wings and flew out of our home nest,"giving me much chagrin since she was a very young 17 years old. I am sure the love of her feathered friends came from actually being able to fly with such freedom. I cherish these past 41 years and 10 months of raising, loving, and knowing Jana. She will always be my daughter and always be a part of me. Much love as always, Jana, Mom XOXOXOXO

Chuck Hohm added this message on July 26, 2010:

Dan, what a remarkable website. I was a colleague of Jana's at SDSU from the day she was hired until August 2004 when I left SDSU to accept a Dean position at another university. From the day she was hired, I knew the department was very fortunate to have her as a colleague. She was a terrific teacher (coming out of that amazing Ph.D. program at Washington that offered course work in teaching) and a great scholar. She will be sorely missed. Chuck Hohm

Marva (Held) Ittner added this message on July 26, 2010:

What an astounding memorial. My sincere sympanthy to all who were lucky to have shared her life. (Jim and Patricia are my cousins).

Toska Olson (grad school friend) added this message on July 26, 2010:

Your eulogy is beautiful, Dan, and the site you and Jana composed is a wonderful way for us to remember her. Thank you both.

david preston added this message on July 26, 2010:

One feels the courage and deep, unsentimental love in this memorial site. A lovely tribute and evidence of her influence on those she knew.
a colleague,
david