Janice Kathryn Murphy

Janice Kathryn Murphy (Janice Kay, Jan, Mimi) – caring wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, and friend – left this world too soon on October 14, 2021 at age 65 after a months-long battle with cancer, surrounded by family.

Janice was born to James and Mary Kay Radich on June 6, 1956 in Watsonville, CA where as a child she participated in 4-H, picked berries in the field (she wouldn't let her kids forget that!), wrapped presents at Ford's Department Store, and was elected Senior Class Treasurer.

She met her husband, Dan, at Santa Clara University, where she graduated with a degree in finance and competed for gold on the Bacardi Babes intermural soccer team. At the University of Illinois – Urbana-Champagne, she earned her master's degree in finance and investments. After beginning her career with Pacific Gas & Electric, for the last 32 years Janice held a number of senior leadership positions with Kaiser Permanente, first as Treasurer and most recently as Vice President of Pensions & Investments. Janice was a student of corporate finance, attaining her CFA and CAIA certificates while working full-time and raising a family. Under her financial leadership she made profound and transformative changes to the betterment of Kaiser employees, members, and communities. Her volunteer interests were widely diverse, including the American Heart Association, California Self-Insurers' Security Fund, the Oakland Diocese, and her children's field trips.

Almost every night you could catch Janice with her nose in a book, magazine or newspaper while enjoying a small bowl of ice cream with lots of nuts. Janice was loving and tough, charming and competitive, with intelligent blue eyes so curious and kind, a quick and ready laugh, always seeking more to learn than to be heard. She will be missed.

Janice is survived by her mother, Mary Kay Radich; husband, Dan Murphy; sons Stephen, Luke, and John Murphy; granddaughters Ellie and Talia Murphy; brothers Jim and Paul Radich and their families; her Croatian cousins; and countless friends and colleagues who will continue to be touched by her positive spirit.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Melanoma Research Alliance (give.curemelanoma.org/JaniceMurphy), or to one of her favorite charities such as The American Heart Association, Stand! For Families Against Violence, Friends of Alameda Animal Shelter, Moreland Notre Dame School (Watsonville), or to a special hospice.

Published in The Pajaronian · October 29, 2021