Janice Emily Terwilliger

Janice Emily (Purdy) Terwilliger passed away peacefully at the Comforts of Home, Hudson WI on March 19, 2025

At age 90, she had lived a remarkable life leaving many heartfelt memories with all that knew her.

Janice was born on September 13, 1934, in Crandon Wisconsin to Charles “Stan” and Evalyn (O’Donnell) Purdy. She grew up enjoying time with her family and cousins.

While in High School, Janice and her twin sister Jane, worked at the Hudson Telephone Company when the phone system still needed a person to connect the calls. After graduating from Hudson High School, the twins enlisted together in the United States Air Force. They both served at Base Operations Air Traffic Control. Their younger sister, Donna, followed her sisters in joining the Air Force, serving as a stewardess.

It was in the Air Force that Janice met her husband Edward Terwilliger. They were married on July 21,1953 and lived in Hudson, Wisconsin. Together they raised a family of 10 Children.

Taking care of a large family was Janice’s full-time job. She stayed very busy cooking homemade meals and baked the most delicious breads, sweet rolls and cookies. She loved to read, with subjects of interest being history, art, nature, and autobiographies. Janice had many book collections and enjoyed giving books as gifts to her family and friends. She also enjoyed watching Jeopardy and doing the Sudoku puzzles with her husband Ed.

Janice had amazing athletic ability and was known as an exceptional swimmer and ice skater. She even swam with the dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico. She taught her children and grandchildren to swim, ice skate, ride bicycle, play tennis and to bowl. Janice and Ed bowled together and won trophies at the 3M bowling tournaments. There’s an interesting story that her family learned of recently: While in High School, Janice was a lifeguard at a scout camp in Bayport MN. She rescued a gal who was having difficulty swimming. The gal told Janice’s daughter, at the New Richmond Fitness Center, that her Mom had saved her life. The gal was still grateful to this day!

In addition to caring for her family, Janice took care of our friend Joe Hopkins, going swimming, on car trips and playing cribbage and backgammon. She had an ability for being a patient and kind caretaker, and a special bond was formed. She also volunteered for a charity of special interest, the March of Dimes organization.

She kept an open house format with nieces, nephews and her children’s friends coming and going. Being such a caring and generous person, all the kids affectionately called her “Mrs T”.

Janice did some traveling to Louisiana and Arizona to see family. Visits with her family and sisters were highlights of her life that she so enjoyed! A special memory she had was going to the 1984 Louisiana World’s Fair, held in New Orleans. She attended the Fair with her Mother, Daughter, and Granddaughter making it a special four generation trip!

During her recent years, she was very adept at doing puzzles and took photos of each puzzle that she finished, boasting that she had done 100 puzzles! Taking photographs was also a hobby Janice enjoyed. She made artistic arrangements of the photos and sent them to her family and friends. She enjoyed the Emoji and Gif features on her phone and included those frequently with her texts. Other activities she enjoyed was playing games of Scrabble, Farkle, and Shanghi Rummy with her family.

Janice so enjoyed the Hudson area, especially the scenic view of the St Croix River and the surrounding bluffs. Driving over the Hudson bridge when coming home, she said: “Of all the places she’s been, Hudson has her favorite scenery”, She was glad to be home.

Getting together with family and going out to restaurants was a great pleasure for Janice, and of course, getting a photo! She used to say the kids and grandkids were her whole life. She will be remembered for her great love and caring by all her family and friends.

Janice is survived by seven of her children: son Peter Terwilliger, daughter Margaret Erdman, daughter Catherine Hopkins, son Thomas Terwilliger, daughter Elizabeth (Dan) Gunsallus, daughter Theresa Terwilliger, son Stephen Terwilliger. She is also survived by her twin sister, Jane Conover, and sister, Donna Cornfield; 17 Grandchildren, 13 Great Grandchildren, 1 Great Great Grandchild, Nieces and Nephews; and Cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband F. Edward Terwilliger, daughter Marilyn Terwilliger, son Andrew Terwilliger, infant son Paul James Terwilliger, grandson Philip Hopkins, father Charles Stanley Purdy and mother Evelyn (O’Donnell) Purdy.

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, a Visitation will be held from11 am – 12 noon, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St Patrick Catholic Church, 1500 Vine Street, Hudson WI 54016. A Luncheon will be served after Mass, followed by interment at the St Patrick’s Cemetery, O’Keefe Rd, Hudson, WI.