Jan Welsh

The world lost one of its most colorful characters on August 1, 2025, when Jan Welsh of Eden, Utah, passed peacefully in Ogden, surrounded by her family. Born in Palo Alto, California, and raised under the sunny skies of San Diego with her five sisters—Jill, Judy, Jeri, Jennifer, and Jamie—Jan lived a life full of laughter, love, and unapologetic quirk.

Jan was a proud mother of five children: Jeff Brown, Jefferson Davis, Emilie Davis, Adrienne Nelson, and Graham Davis—each of whom inherited some version of her wit, tenacity, and inability to follow a recipe exactly (but somehow always made it work).

A long-time Special Education teacher with the Weber School District, Jan was a fierce advocate for inclusion, autism awareness, and meeting people exactly where they were—whether they were students, parents, or the random stranger she struck up a conversation with in line at Smith’s. Her classroom was a safe haven, her choir section was always loudest (and most in tune, thank you very much), and her recycling bin was always full.

Jan believed in a God big enough to include everyone. She proudly wore a charm necklace full of symbols from every faith she could find. She didn’t just tolerate different beliefs—she celebrated them.

She loved Eden and the people who made it home. She loved chocolate (seriously loved it, she had Cadbury eggs in her pocket on her last walk), her books, baking cookies for anyone who would take them (and even some who wouldn’t), walking the neighborhood, and supporting her grandkids in everything from concerts to chaos. She was also known to cheer for other people’s children like they were her own and had a special spot in her heart for all dogs, whether they were hers or not.

Jan was a little unconventional, a little unpredictable, and a lot unforgettable. She kept up with current events and IG Reels. She served humbly, gave generously, and walked religiously.

To be loved by Jan was to be loved without condition.

A celebration of her life will be held Friday, August 22nd 7-9pm at the Huntsville Stake Center Bowery. All are welcome—friends, neighbors, family, former students, choir buddies, cookie lovers, recyclers, and anyone who knew her big, generous heart.

In lieu of flowers, please bake some cookies for someone who needs them, recycle your plastics (correctly, people), go vote, and compliment a stranger. That’s how Jan would’ve done it.