A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, musician and friend to many has answered the call of the Father. On April 27, 2021 the spirit of Janice Marie Cummings took flight. Her life mission is closed at 78 years of life, passing peacefully at Oldorf Hospice House in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 1st at Springdale Cemetery, Clinton, Iowa. View Janice’s full obituary at www.papefh.com. The Pape Funeral Home, Clinton is assisting the family.
Janice was born on March 21st, 1943 in Clinton, IA, the only child to Ruth Jeannette Ridgway and Donald Paul Ridgway. She graduated from Clinton High School in 1960 and then got her Master’s degree in Physical Education from UNI in 1969. While going to UNI she met Richard (Dick) Cummings and got married in Clinton, IA in 1966. They moved to Illinois where she taught Physical Education at Round Lake Beach Elementary School and McGee Middle School. They retired in 1993 and moved to Cedar Rapids, IA where they spent time with their grandchildren, restoring music and traveling in their Airstream trailer. After 50 years of marriage Richard passed from this life on April 14th, 2016.
Janice also loved to bake, crochet, sew and mostly play music in the many bands she was associated with including the New Horizons Band, the WBCCI Airsteam Club Band, Windjammers Unlimited and directing the Dixie Notes Plus. She loved playing handbells, clarinet, saxophone, and percussion, and was also a handbell director, and a musical librarian.
The life work of Janice has ended. She has accomplished her allotted task and now goes to her reward. The years allotted to her by the Master were 78 full ones in His Vineyard. She leaves her son Ian Ross (Isabelle Andree) Cummings, her two grandchildren Christophe Jean Cummings and Alyson Jeannette Cummings and her dogs Norman and Buddy. Now they lay her away to eternal rest next to Richard and her parents and she trusts that the All Father will keep her in his loving care. May she rest in Peace.
*Rewritten by Alyson (previously rewritten by Janice) from the original obituary of Ruth Marie (Stamm) Stormes, which was printed in “The American Journal of General News” Clinton, IA on Friday Dec.9, 1921.
So sorry to hear about Jan. She was the gym teacher at my school when I first started teaching. She was such a talented and funny person and directed us in Christmas plays for our students. I have such fond memories of her! RIP dear Jan!! And my condolences to Ian and his family!
Talented, no-nonsense, feisty—I was privileged to have known her. RIP Janice.
Janice will be missed by all. She was the backbone for NHB and kept track of who had or didn’t have in music pieces. A very talented human being and not afraid to speak her mind. She was a strong person and a fun person to speak with. It was an honor to have met her. Wish I’d know her longer than the few years since 2016. May you Rest In Peace and keep the tempo going…
I have many good memories of musical performances and rehearsals with Janice — especially playing at Milestones adult day care once a month. I last talked to her on November 2019 just before moving to the Minneapolis area. We had a good chat and there was no indication she had a health issue. Janice was very talented and a real organizer — I will always miss her Christmas dinners for the band members.
My sympathy to Ian and family. Janice was a great person, musician, and organizer. Many wonderful memories from the rehearsals in Janice and Dick’s house, and the many concert’s with the Dixie Notes Plus.
I am so sorry to receive this news. I had no idea of Janice’s illness. She was so helpful to me in my days with the New Horizons Band. She was so knowledgeable and shared her love of music with all. I cherish the times we spent together. My sympathy is extended to you, her family, who we were privileged to meet through Janice and Duck.
Very sad to hear of your passing here at the Cedar Rapids Scottish Rite we miss you and all the things you brought to our lives . We sincerely looked forward to seeing you on Music day.
So very sad to her about your beloved mother and grandmother. She was loved!