Janice Jean (Cyliax) Reese

Janice Jean (Cyliax) Reese, 91, passed away at her daughter’s home in Cle Elum on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

Janice was born August 17, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to parents Rudolph and Norma Cyliax. She was the second of five siblings, with three sisters and one brother. Her mother died when she was quite young and her father, Rudolph, carried on in his profession as a baker to provide for the family, supported by grandmother and aunts. Janice graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee in 1948.

“The Great Drive of ’55” was a pivotal moment in her life, as she and three gal-pals packed up and drove from Milwaukee to San Diego, taking Route 66 most of the way. This was quite an adventure for four young single women in that era. She loved to tell the story and delighted in the memories created.  Once in San Diego, she went to work in a clerical position for Ryan Aeronautical, working her way up the ladder before leaving for Convair, another aeronautical company. There she met her future husband, Michael Reese, and they were wed on September 19, 1959. Their only child, daughter Regina, was born in October of 1961.

Janice and Michael divorced in 1979. At the time, she was working at Carpenter Technology in El Cajon, CA, where her sense of humor, and sweet, caring demeanor (tinged with just the right amount of sass) won her many friends and the respect of her colleagues. She studied diligently at night school, and was promoted to head of Human Resources, a position that suited her organizational skills and people-friendly demeanor. She continued at “CarTech” as it was known, until her retirement in 1997. She made life-long friends during her tenure there.

Once retired, she was able to focus her attention on some of her great loves: reading – especially to children at the local library and in underprivileged schools; spoiling her daughter Regina; and adopting and caring for dogs in need. She moved to Washington state in 2018 to be closer to her daughter.

Janice is preceded in death by parents Rudolph and Norma, older sister Joan, and ex-husband Michael. She is survived by sisters Jeannine and Jackie, brother Daniel, and daughter Regina. She was loved, treasured, and will be sorely missed by all.

Those wishing to honor Janice’s memory are encouraged to make a small donation to Labradors and Friends in San Diego ( https://www.labradorsandfriends.org/), with a notation that the donation is in memory of Janice Reese, Maddie and Billy.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Cle Elum has been entrusted with caring for Janice and her family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com