Janice "Jan" L. (Blickenstaff) Woolery

Janice “Jan” L. (Blickenstaff) Woolery of Wichita, KS, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2025. She was 94. She was born Thursday, June 5, 1930, to Louis and Lenora (Gladfelter) Blickenstaff. She grew up with one sister, Norma “Beth”, in Newton, KS. Her expert seamstress skills earned her the nickname “The Clothes Closet Girl” in high school. She met the love of her life while working behind the soda fountain counter at the local drug store and on August 19, 1951, she married William “Bill” K. Woolery. Jan was a stay-at-home mother to their two children. She enjoyed sewing, arts and crafts, decorating, and all aspects of landscape design. Her gift of creativity not only showed in her endeavors but also in her unique way of solving problems. She was an avid reader and subscriber of many high-profile institutions and journals. Always drawn to learning and embracing new ideas. When personal computers arrived, she purchased one as well as an instruction book and began teaching herself about new technology. Jan loved seeing and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. After raising children, she decided to follow her lifelong passion for painting. After dabbling in several types and styles, she settled on watercolor as her favorite. She belonged to the Kansas Watercolor Society and several other artist organizations. A longtime member of the “The Fiber Studio” and was commonly featured in their “Final Friday” showing, as well as showings at many different venues in and around the Wichita area. Her art was also featured in other states outside of Kansas. Over the course of her painting career, she received several awards, recognizing her outstanding artistic achievements. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne Sloan of Wichita, KS; son, William “Bill” L. Woolery of Clearwater, KS; grandchildren, Cameron, Taryn, Loni, Connie; and many great-grandchildren. Jan was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” K. Woolery; parents, Louis and Lenora (Gladfelter) Blickenstaff; sister, Norma “Beth” Ullum; and her beloved Schnauzer, Sax. A Celebration of Jan’s life will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established with: Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N Hillside, Wichita, KS, 67219. Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary-West Chapel.