Obituary of Jan Grizel

Janice Alieen Cripe, 72, of Tucson, Arizona passed away on December 31st, 2022.

Jan was born in Glendale, California on April 7, 1945, to Robert and Ethel Cripe. She was born second in the family, being preceded by Carolyn Setterland and followed by Larry Cripe and Beverly Dodson. Jan was raised in Glendale, California where she also attended Glendale Hoover High School. Jan graduated from Laverne College and received a degree in Speech Education Therapy with the class of 1967. During her studies, Jan was married to Don Grizel of Burbank, and shortly after graduating, they were blessed with a daughter, Julie Alisa Grizel.

Jan held several secretarial positions which included the First Baptist Church of Pomona, Forest Home Christian Conference Center, the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District, and the Northwest Campus of Pima Community College, from which she retired. She then enjoyed volunteering at several local hospitals and traveling with her husband during their retirement years.

Jan kept busy with many interests and hobbies such as sewing, knitting, cross stitching, quilting, and gardening. Her twenty-four special named roses at her home in Oro Valley especially brought her joy. We will miss her great fashion sense, and coordinated accessories with her fine taste in clothing, jewelry, makeup, and hair styles!

Jan had a passion for entertaining, and loved to cook not only for the family, but for many friends and guests. She collected recipes from throughout the years, and even made recipe books with family and friends that we will cherish forever. She also loved to decorate her home, especially for Christmas. As all who knew her would agree, her Christmas decorating in her home was legendary, and will be truly missed.

Jan Grizel is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Don, and their grandson Jordan Grizel, who lives in Irvine, California. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Julie Grizel who passed on March 27th, 2020.

Jan will be loved and missed by all.

A memorial mass to honor Jan’s life will be held at Adair funeral home on Saturday, February 25th at 11:00am, with food and refreshments being served afterwards. Adair is located at 8090 N Northern Ave, Oro Valley, AZ 85704.

In lieu of flowers, Jan would have wanted all donations to be made to Forest Home at

https://foresthome.givingfuel.com/givenow