Our Beloved Janice
Our beloved and cherished Janice Falcón, after months of decline from brain cancer, has made her transition. Our community will sorely miss her. Janice’s grace, generosity, love and wisdom have been like rays of light from her soul. It was a blessing to know her. She guided our children’s program for years. Never with her at the helm did we wonder if we could do better. Steadily she guided the education and community building that made our program an example of excellence. The church and each of us who knew her understand we have truly lost someone special.
Her family has been supported by the Friend in Deed committee, extended family, Sean and Diana, and all of us who have held them in prayer. All five of her children and Omar have wanted privacy in dealing with this slow moving transition. Let us send love and prayers as we await from them other ways we might respect their need for privacy and still actively support them.
Let us remember to cherish loved ones and friends.
Thank you, Janice, for showing us how to live with spiritual elegance.
Watch the Virtual Celebration of Life Service
Remembrances of Janice
If you wish to leave a remembrance message, please fill out the form below and submit your message. We will be updating this page regularly with your messages.
“A heart is not judged by how much you love, but how much you are loved by others.” — Lyman Frank Baum, from The Wizard of Oz. That was/is Janice.
-Susan Siegmann
During Sunday Service I always loved watching the youth proceeding up to and settling into the stage. As a choir member (being on the stage) I could look directly into Janice’s face as she walked up. That was often my favorite part of the service. Janice’s face always beamed with love and affection. Divinity.
-Dan Wilkinson
I have many, many fond memories of Janice — her smile, her calm presence, her dedication, her excitement, and her loving care for the Unity youth. But one memory does stand out among the rest. During one Sunday 11 am service, I was in the lobby area and I heard this commotion in the fellowship hall as a young boy — known for his wild and uncontrollable behavior — sprinted up the stairs as Janice followed rapidly behind him. I heard continued commotion on the 2nd floor, and soon the boy was racing down the stairs as Janice tried to reach him and reason with him to try to “redirect” his behavior. This seemed to occur a couple more times.
I was president of the Board at that time, and I thought I should let Janice know just how much I thought of the way she calmly and slowly got control of the situation. I was truly amazed at how she was able to handle the situation. I approached Janice later that morning and told her that. She seemed a little worried as I approached her and I told her that, because she told me she thought I was coming to tell her, “Janice, you’ve got to get better control of those kids!” — or maybe, presumably, we’ll find someone else who can. I laughed about that and reminded her how we all marveled at the way she managed, encouraged, and inspired the youth. She said that, for her, she just thought of all those kids as her own, and she loved those kids as she loved her own.
That was her secret — love. We were lucky to have her as our youth director. We were lucky to have her as part of our spiritual community.
-David Johnson
I’m at a loss for words to explain how much you meant to me, Janice. While younger than me, you were so much wiser. I cherish the time I spent in your office at church practicing my Spanish with you, asking your advice on relationships, and hearing about your latest plans for our Unity youth. I loved seeing you interact as a mother with the boys. What fine young men you have raised and I enjoyed seeing your joy in them. Your example has been life changing for me.
I see the amazing qualities that made you such a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and incredible Youth Director. Your patience, acceptance, and sweet nature always stood out to me. Your giggly sense of humor made me laugh. Your smile warmed me. I always felt loved and accepted by you for exactly who I am.
Your love shined through so brightly and always will. I miss you Janice.
-Darla Brown
A woman full of optimism and creativity, giving to others joy and love.
-Sergio Morales-Monroy
Janice’s light and love will continue to live on in my heart. Janice’s dedicated wholehearted thoughtfulness towards making things happen for the Unity Youth made an impact in our church. It was a grand pleasure to work with Janice in bringing Mrs. Claus to the Youth at Unity. Janice’s gentleness, laugh, smile and steadfastness in supporting Unity was a demonstration of God expressing through her beautiful soul.
-Janet Jones
We moved from Charleston to Charlotte and my son wanted to go to Unity of the Triangle in Raleigh. I couldn’t understand why he wanted to travel 2 hours to go to YOU. Then I met Janice. We didn’t talk much but she had quiet calming affect. I knew that she would take good care of Dougie. I met Omar many years ago when I was a Uniteen sponsor taking my kids to rally at Camp Weed. He also went out of his way to make me feel comfortable. I had the pleasure of working with Gabe when we went to Spirit Quest. He and Dougie were co-reggies. I send much love to the family. If there is anything we can do to help let us know.
-Denise Landhan
Such a great loss! She was a true gem in our community and I will never forget her kindness and love. Prayers are with Omar and the boys.
-Virginia Decellis
I am so sad. My daughter, Patti, in Kansas told me. She checks the website often. She said she remembers Janice well because Janice was always so nice when Patti visited and would drop my 2 grand kids off in the classroom. We all miss you Janice.
-Doug Walters, Patti, Jace, and Lexi Hernandez
From the moment I met Janice I felt a kinship with her. I always felt a loving presence when I was with her. She loved her children with a passion and spirit that was beautiful to see. She loved all of our children that way.
As a volunteer with the UCT youth program, I had the privilege and pleasure of seeing her love and joy in action as we worked with the children. Knowing Janice has been a blessing in my life. May her memory be a blessing to us all.
My sincere condolences to her beautiful children and family. You are all in my heart.
-Robin Devoti
The Spirit of Janice
Janice’s Spirit flies on the Wings of Love.
It dips and swirls following eddies of care and compassion.
One drew her to her beloved Omar and her family
and the other pulled her to serve Unity of the Triangle
to minister to our youth and families’ needs.
They depended on each other,
these two complementary energies,
in a connection that will never be erased.
We grieve as she ascends higher
without having to pull against
the downward draft of her mortal challenges.
How easily she expressed her love for everyone around her,
and how abundantly it was returned by all she encountered.
But we know she has been called to enter a higher existence
in her quest to transcend this earthly spiritual plane.
May she keep soaring towards her true calling
as a Spiritual Being transformed by the love she embodied.
-Betsy Lambert, February 1, 2021
Mis respetos y Oraciones con la familia y la comunidad de Unity en este momento tan difícil , Los domingos eran especiales para mi asistir como
Voluntaria cuidando de los niños en el nursery junto a Diana en ese momento y tuve la oportunidad de conocer a Janice y puedo decir que podías sentir su espiritu tan alegre , siempre sonriendo podía trasmitir su buena energia . El cielo está de fiesta con un ángel que fue llamado para cumplir una misión de seguir cuidando desde lo alto a su hermosa familia …!!! Hoy estas en otro plano , espacio o dimensión como queremos llamarlo y se que estarás bien ! tu gran espíritu prevalecerá por siempre Amén ??. Bendiciones y muchas Oraciones .
-Kelia Mora
Janice made me believe in angels.
-Kim Church
I will always remember her sweet words on the phone to her beloved. May God watch over your family as you have done.
-Jesse Mendoza
Janice was the true embodiment of love and compassion. Her beautiful smile and caring spirit will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to Omar and her entire family.
-John Green
Janice, my best friend, my sister, my love. You were always a Ray of Light, we will meet again. Thank you for your unconditional love for 24
Years… RIP
Táyna Rivera
La certeza de nuestro espíritu es que Cristo es amor y perdón; así lo demostró Janice con su ejemplo en tan corta vida. Dejando de ser de ella y ayudando a otros. Cuando leo sus comentarios y cómo la recuerdan, definitivamente veo en su huella los principios de Jesucristo. Hoy ella ilumina el camino a otros con su recuerdo. El plan de Dios es perfecto… prima mía, descansa en Paz.
-Carlos Lugo
Janice Elaine Falcon was such a bright beacon of loving kindness to everyone whose life she touched in any way. To know her was to love and admire her. We cannot help but miss her physical presence now that she has transcended the earthly plane. We do know that the deep grief that we feel over her transition is a testament to the wonderful gift that Janice was in our lives. We allow our hearts to break open as we journey through this time of grief and loss. We love Janice, we bless her, we appreciate her and we behold the Christ in her. And we affirm that Janice lives on in our hearts and Love is eternal.
-Janice Sears
Descansa en Paz!!! Te prometo que estaré pendiente de tu mamá acá en PR!!!
-Juliana Reyes
Miss Janice made our return to the Unity community welcoming and warm. My children loved youth groups on Sundays and the heartfelt messages those lessons provided, under Janice’s leadership and her team of dedicated teachers. She made Uniteen trips a reality for my son Gabe, an experience he will cherish forever. She brought my shy Alex out of his shell, and encouraged him to perform a solo in the Christmas concert! My sweet Madeline’s favorite part of every Sunday was a hug from Miss Janice (and Rev Ana). We will forever be grateful for the love she showed to our family. Her brightness will be missed.
-Laurie Morril
Similar to others, I have several great memories of Janice, but I would like to share my favorite. Several seasons ago, Janice and the kids had organized a chili and cornbread bake sale in the dining hall to raise money for the kids to attend a rally. While I was helping the kids set up, Neusom came in, beaming. He pointed with pride at a pan of cornbread he had brought in and placed on the table. He said to me something to the effect of “Look at what I did!” It was indeed a beautiful pan of cornbread, and I told him so. We laughed and chatted a bit, and eventually he gave me one of those life-affirming hugs. Then I gravitated with others to the sanctuary for the 11 o’clock service. It was during that service that it became clear to all who attended that Neusom was in physical crisis. I went into something of a panic with this thought: what if our exchange in the dining hall earlier that morning was the last moment we’d ever connect? At some point, I had to escape to the bathroom to sob.
After service was over, I was back in the dining hall with the goal of helping Janice out with the kids. Janice noticed the look on my face, and asked if I was ok. She pulled me aside and tears welled up for both of us as we expressed just how upset we were by what had happened with Neusom. After a moment, she said, “I want you to see something.” She pulled out her phone and showed me a picture she had taken with the intention of documenting the kids’ sale set-up. It also happened to capture the exact moment Neusom and I hugged. As I started bawling again, she said, “But look at the pure and absolute joy on your face.” That moment confirmed for me that Janice is full of miracles, big and small. Nothing was ever an accident with her.
I asked her to send me the picture to my email. She did. The other night, when I learned of her transition, I desperately searched my email for the one she had sent with the picture. The subject line reads: “The hug. I love you, Andrea. Thank you for your heart.”
My heart.
Clearly, she was only seeing me as she was. I can’t imagine that I was ever anything more than a simple reflection of her light whenever I was in her presence. I think many of you know what I mean when I say I felt like a full moon around her – merely bouncing back the luminesce of the sun with a serenity and confidence that has the power to pull oceans.
She is magical; yes, her magic persists.
Many prayers to her family, friends and our entire community.
-Andrea Emanuel
Janice, te soltamos al cuidado de la Creación. Fundida con la Fuerza de toda vida te bendecimos y agradecemos tu presencia en nuestras vidas. La familia Glogiewicz-Mercado te recuerda en amor. Vuela alto.
-Juli Mercado
Janice was the true embodiment of love and compassion. Her beautiful smile and caring spirit will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to Omar and her entire family.
-JoAnne Green
Janice, we may share the same name but we didn’t know each other well. But I always was amazed at the love you radiated speaking of the children at Unity and by seeing how much they loved you. You always radiated love and light directly from your heart, and it always warmed mine. May peace, love and many blessings be yours on the next phase of your soul’s journey.
-Janice Pettit
Janice, siempre estaras en mi corazón. Soy inmemsame te afortunada de haberte tenido en mi vida y tener el privilegio de llamarte amiga. Cucla, como nos llamabamos una a la otra, seras siempre un angel. Love you.
-Lorraine Marzan
What a beautiful person and sweet soul! I’ve tried to describe Janice to friends and family who didn’t know her, and the word that best captures her is angelic. An angel is a spiritual being who is a messenger from God and can have special healing or protective attributes. Janis embodied all of those. She acted as a messenger of the Divine in the way she lived her life — with love, compassion, and respect for all. Her presence and her smile were healing, and her protective nature showed in her work and family life, and love of children and teens. She had a certain gentle sweetness and goodness that felt heaven-sent, yet she was grounded and present to the task or person in front of her.
I was blessed to have lots of time and conversations with Janice, especially in the first few months that she was Director of Youth Ministries. We shared a love of kids and families, so talked about Unity kids a lot, about our own families, and about our Unity community. In all the time we talked and all the different scenarios that she dealt with, she never spoke negatively or even a little sarcastically about anyone. She just couldn’t help but feel compassion and love for everyone. It oozed out of her eyes and smile, and she left a trail of it wherever she went. She also exuded a calm joy and expressed it constantly in appreciation and gratitude.
As a Youth Ministries Director, Janice was full of enthusiasm for the kids and appreciation for the volunteers and staff. She was light and bright and joyful, and she embodied a strong faith that all aws moving toward the highest. I saw that faith expressing with the kids, in the ways she encouraged and believed in each one of them, and their capacity to do great things and become their greatest selves. She was a strong support of our youngest son as he went through the teen years and some difficult times. I will always be grateful to her for that.
I also was blessed by Janice as a Hatha Yoga Instructor. She was the best! Her peaceful nature came through, and brought me to peace almost immediately upon sitting on the mat. She was a great instructor as far as knowing the asanas and how to help us with them, and her pacing was perfect to bring us into her aura of peacefulness. I always left feeling better in every way.
I really admire Janice as a mother. Being a mother of 5 sons is such a big job! She was dedicated and involved in their lives and a guiding force. She also brought humility to her role as a Mom. As Daniel and Gabe grew to be adults, she was challenged by Daniel’s decision to join the military. To her credit, though, she was open to learning from him and hearing about how he came to the decision. As she set aside her own ideas about it, she opened to seeing it from Daniel’s point of view. Then, she was not only accepting of his choices, but also very proud and amazed at what she had learned from him.
As a friend, Janice was very generous with listening and responding with love and acceptance. One time when I said something I felt badly about, she was forgiving to the point of saying it all works out for the best and what happened is perfectly OK. I could feel her sincerity and love, and again, her abiding faith that everything happens for the best.
Thank you, Janice. Thank you for being a loving, supportive friend. Thank you for being a dedicated, nurturing and guiding force for our kids. Thank you for being a wonderful mother and raising your boys to be loving, kind and respectful, like you. Thank you for teaching yoga practices of asana and meditation in your gentle and peaceful way. Thank you for being Light, Love and Compassion. Thank you for inspiring us with your way of being. You have been a great gift to the world. I will miss you, and will never forget you.
-Amy Allen
Her Light shines through every single person who knew her. Much Love to family and loved ones. Namaste.
-Linda Dale Edwards
First, one sees a beautiful Latina woman, then one recognizes a talented lover of our children, then, one connects with a sincere, loving soul, and finally, one realizes that the divine is indeed within, throughout, and all about us.
-John Wilson
I’ve experienced many Unity Churches throughout my travels. However, Janice was quite unique and wonderful as Sunday School Director. She had a unique and loving ability when working with the youth! She was truly amazing when working with them. She has such a talent! She made all feel loved and gave them what they needed as a leader and on an individual manner. Janice was also a wonderful Mother to her own boys! She is and will be missed!
-Connie Seitz
Siempre en mi corazón, Gracias Amiga!
-Debbie Diaz
Gracias por tu luz, tu sabiduría y tu amistad. Namaste Janice
-Milagros Rodríguez
My beautiful soul sister, my mentor and teacher, my beloved friend…Janice Elaine Falcón, I am a better person because of your light, love, and friendship. The impact you have had on who I am at my very core cannot be described in words. Your ability to mother your five wonderful sons with such grace, depth, love and joy provided me with so many opportunities to learn and grow as a mother myself. Your heart was always open to me- may I learn to keep my heart open to you in the great beyond. How beautiful it must be- your light shining without boundaries. I always was amazed at how much you reminded me of my own mother- and now you join her and all those who have gone before us. May you both guide me through my days here on earth. Until we meet again…
Te amo, querida hermana. Siempre. Gracias por amarme.
-Dawn Randolph
Que bellas palabras Belia! Todos fuimos bendecidos por ella y la admiramos como mujer, como madre y como esposa. Tan hermosa por fuera como por dentro. Ella fue nuestro ángel que Dios quiso recibir un Ángel en el cielo. Dios la está cuidando y bendiciendo ahora y cuidando de sus hijos y de nosotros desde el cielo. La amamos eternamente
-Belia Villafañe
Janice was truly a remarkable person. She embodied the Unity spirit in everything she did. And she did a lot of things. Like mentoring our youth, helping people to learn yoga, but most of all how to be of service to others. I feel lost without you Janice.
– Brett Batchelder
Janice’s light shined like a beacon on a foggy day. She lifted the veil to show how much light a person could share. I loved our Wednesday nite yoga and meditation. We also shared a light meal after. She was an incredible teacher and friend. She inspired me to be a better person. Working with her on Sunday mornings was extra special too. She always had time to listen to the children. I hope I can continue to make her dreams a reality for our youth ministry. I will forever miss her loving presence. Prayers and love for Omar, the children and family members.
-Mary Christopher
Janice and her family touch me and family with their love and kindness.
As a working mother of two i was looking for a community. Janice welcomed me to her Yoga Wednesday community. I was only able to participate because Omar, Daniel and kids would graciously watch over my little ones.
I am thankful to you all, may you continue to be embraced in the warm and loving light of the divine
-Nela Rodriguez
