Marsha Chapman
When it comes to good, loyal friends--Jan Farning was the absolute best! And anyone blessed enough to have known her can vouch that she was truly one of God's angels here on earth.
Thirty-two years ago she greeted this right-out-of-business-school newbie to her workplace and we hit it off right away. With encouraging words and her beautiful smile, she became a friend and mentor, getting me through a number of "incidents" at work--the most memorable being a day when I had taken as much condescension as I could take from my boss. Jan saw me storm out the front door without a sound--and knew immediately that I was nearly ready to lose my cool. As a way to calm my temper I walked very quickly up and down the streets of downtown. Apparently my pace was such that I was already out of sight by the time Jan got to the office door to try to call me back... But despite her mobility challenges, in true loyal-friend fashion she got her keys, retrieved her car from the parking garage, and tracked me down--and convinced me to return to the office. (She most likely saved my job that day!) I am doubly blessed to have had Jan as both a colleague and a life-long friend.
Although we were never able to see as much of each other as we wanted once my career diverted me elsewhere, Jan was the most faithful friend I've ever known. For many years we met up for lunch at least once a month but over the decades as life takes each of us down a different path, getting together on a regular basis became increasingly difficult. But the times we were able to align our schedules these past many years have given me precious memories to cherish as Jan would welcome me and my daughter into her home to share lunch and some "girl time". My daughter frequently remembers time spent with "Grandma Jan" and we remember together the sweet times we shared with one of the dearest friends ever to grace this planet.
Jan was a true gem and all our lives are better for having known her.
