Janice "Jan" Fay Kimble-Schwartz

Janice (Jan) Fay Kimble-Schwartz passed away early Saturday morning on February 10, 2024 in Houston after a courageous battle with cancer . She was born October 16, 1966 in Texas City to Bob and Mary Kimble of Santa Fe, TX. Jan leaves behind her devoted husband Ken Schwartz, loving daughter Brynne, brother and sister-in-law, Ross and Carolyn Kimble, niece, Rachel Atz (Kimble), and nephew, Caleb Kimble, Brother-in-law Howie and Renay, nephews Carson and Tanner, as well as many close friends and extended family. Janice was preceded in death by her twin sister Frances Kimble, who was her best friend, and her parents Bob and Mary Kimble. Jan spent her childhood in Santa Fe and graduated from Santa Fe High School where she enjoyed many activities including the band and the art club. She played multiple instruments including the clarinet and bassoon in the symphonic band and the xylophone in the marching band. She went on to attend the University of Houston and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. She quickly landed a job at one of Houston’s largest advertising agencies, Bates Southwest and stayed with them for over 23 years as a graphic designer and illustrator. She frequently won awards for her outstanding design work. Following that she was a freelance designer for over 8 years where she frequently worked closely with her husband Ken supporting many of his clients advertising needs. During this time, she also frequently volunteered at the Spring Branch school district where her daughter Brynne attended. Since that time she worked with one of her childhood best-friends at her company, iSphere, where Jan headed up marketing, advertising, and all things artistic and creative. Everywhere Jan worked she was loved , cherished and became a close knit part of that work family. Although Jan was successful and talented in her work and career related pursuits, her real passion was always for her family. The bond she had with Fran , affectionately called Frannie, was so incredibly strong that friends who knew them well would refer to it as a “twin thing”. The Kimble family spent so much time together. Even toward the end of her parents life she was at their home in Santa Fe regularly taking care of them and making them feel loved and special. She was always there when they needed her. Jan fell in love and then married Ken on November 16, 2002. They had a very active and adventurous marriage enjoying travel, the arts, food and a variety of outdoor activities. Eventually Brynne came along and Jan had a new great love in her life. Jan’s role as a loving mother and very involved parent took center stage. Time with them came first and she devoted that time to creating special memories. Being a wife and mother were her greatest joys. Family to Jan, however, did not stop there. She made her friends feel like they were part of her family as well. She treasured and accepted each of them as a special gift. If you were her friend you felt like a precious gem. Jan was quirky, funny, playful, kind and a truly creative and inventive person. She will be missed for her style, warmth, and generosity among too many other endearing qualities to list. She was a sensitive person on many levels and was always in-tune and concerned with the wellbeing of her family, friends, and co-workers and quick to check-in if she felt something might be awry. She loved, perhaps paradoxically, dogs and cats and birds and had many of each during her too-brief-time with us. Then again, Jan always did like a good paradox. She never wanted to be defined as or by anything other than who she unabashedly was, and that was more than enough for all of us. The world is a lesser place without her but her love will live vibrantly inside each person whom she touched. We love and will miss you, our beautiful, magical Jan. A gathering to celebrate Jan’s life will be held at Dettling Funeral Home at 14094 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77079 from 1 to 3 PM on Sunday, February 25. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janice’s honor to the American Cancer Society or the charitable organization of your choice.

Janice "Jan" Fay Kimble-Schwartz

October 16, 1966 - February 10, 2024