Jan Scott

Jan Scott

Jan Scott died on Tuesday, March 19, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She was 86. No public services will be held; her ashes will be scattered in North Idaho and on the Oregon coast.

Janice Dora Collett was born on March 14, 1933, in McCloud, Calif. She grew up in Salinas and Modesto, Calif., and Wheeling, W.Va.

She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Science Degree in Biology from Northern Arizona University. Jan worked as a technical writer and editor in Santa Clara, Calif. When she moved to Bonners Ferry in 1993, she continued her work online until she retired at age 65.

Jan then began the work of which she was most proud, animal rescue. She assisted in the saving of many lives while fostering cats and dogs of all ages. From feeding newborn kittens by bottle to arranging cross-country transportation of adopted dogs, Jan worked tirelessly to care for and spay/neuter homeless pets and place them in homes.

Jan was a voracious reader who enjoyed books about science, history, genealogy and travel. She had lived in Japan when first married, and later traveled to Mexico to scuba dive. After retiring Jan toured Scotland four times while researching family history.

Quilting was a hobby that Jan particularly enjoyed while she created works of art for her family. Having passion for fiber arts, she was also a knitter and weaver.

Jan was preceded in death by her mother, Wilma Reed Cowan, and her father, Cyril Collett. She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Reed and Audrey Collett, of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; a son, Gary Higbee, of Eugene, Ore.; and a daughter and son-in-law, Doreen and John Beck, of Moyie Springs. Jan has three grandchildren, Jason, Chris, and Nichola, and two great-grandchildren, Claire and Porter.

Donations in Jan’s honor may be sent to Best Friends Animal Society.