Mary Janice Dore Dennis, 83, of Staunton, VA passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2026, while in hospice care at Brookdale Staunton Senior Living.

She is survived by her husband, Timothy (Tim), of Staunton, VA and her sons, Matthew, also of Staunton, and Steven of Waynesboro, VA. Also, brother-in-law, Bruce L. Dennis and his wife Merry of Columbia, CT, two sisters-in-law, Jeanne Marie Archambault of Manchester, CT, Rosemary L. Dennis of Hatfield, MA, a nephew, two nieces and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

Jan, as she was known to all, was born March 3, 1943 in Grand Junction, CO. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Hannah Dore.

Jan grew up in various places in the western United States, which gave her a unique perspective, reflecting those experiences and values for her entire life. She remained a true "westerner."

Jan married Tim in 1979 while stationed with the United States Navy in the San

Francisco Bay (CA) area, beginning her 21-year journey as a Navy wife, a role at which she excelled, and during which time their two sons were born and raised.

Jan graduated from the University of Nevada (Reno) with Honors in 1965 with a bachelor's degree in education and began her instructional career in elementary school education teaching first in Manalapan, NJ, and earning a master's degree in education administration from Monmouth University in New Jersey. She then taught in the San Ramon Unified School District, San Ramon, CA, for many years. As she and her family moved frequently throughout the country, as a result of Tim's military service, she continued to raise their children in new places such as San Diego, CA, Manassas, VA, Bremerton, WA, Newport RI and Augusta County, VA.

She retired in 2015 from Augusta County Public Schools and engaged in her life-long interests of gardening, Native American history, culture and crafts, and traveling. She loved travel and would enthusiastically go anywhere, at any time for new and fun experiences, adventure and knowledge including Egypt, Ireland, Singapore and Mexico.

A special thank you to the memory care staff at Brookdale Staunton Senior Living and the Legacy Hospice professionals for the compassion and care they gave to Jan.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jan's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Central and Western Virginia located in Charlottesville, VA.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive in Staunton is in charge of her arrangements.

Service Dates and Times Will Be Announced.