Janice Seymour Carlson, 87, formerly of Barrington and Warren

Janice Irene Seymour Carlson, 87, formerly of Barrington, RI, passed on January 9, 2018 at her home in Sarasota, FL. Janice joyfully entered this world on October 10, 1930 in Warren, RI, the daughter of Eudora Catherine (Parks) and Norman Manchester Seymour.

In her early years, Janice was a member of the Warren Grange, winning several awards for public speaking and service. She enjoyed ballroom dancing and, prior to her marriage, she worked as personal secretary to the president of Providence Gas Company. Janice served as Sunday School Teacher and Sunday School Director of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Warren R.I. In 1965, Janice was the wind beneath many wings as her family opened a commercial insulation business in Barrington.  Janice managed the financials and office for J & D Carlson Inc, Narragansett Insulation and later Viking Industries. Her seasonal migration to Englewood, Florida began in 1991, finally resulting in permanent residency and heralded a wealth of volunteer service with St. David’s Episcopal Church, Tidewell Hospice, Comfort Connection Alzheimer’s Care and Englewood Community Hospital.  Fondly known as “Mops” to almost everyone, Janice was also known as “The Puppet Lady,” and through the use of puppetry brought education and happiness to the children of Englewood.  Jan was an avid writer and has gifted us with volumes of anecdotes shared from her life.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Muriel Seymour Lesh, a brother, M. Warren Seymour and her devoted husband, Ellis Frederick Carlson.  Survivors include her children: Marcia Carlson Pack of Siesta Key, FL, Marlene Carlson Lachance of Coventry, RI, Leonard Ellis Carlson of Seekonk, MA, Douglas N. Carlson of Barrington, RI and Melanie Joy Zabawa of Cape Coral, FL. Janice enjoyed 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

 A Memorial Gathering has been lovingly planned for Saturday, January 13, 2018, at the Farley Funeral Home in Venice, Fla.