Janet Ruth Hood was born January 17,1932 in Torrance, California to Jeanette Jewel Lurwick and William Harold Hood. (Until she was 36 years old, she never lived more than 5 miles from her birthplace.) Her natural love of people leaves behind a legacy of influence and loving memories.

When Jan was 11, her father was sent overseas as a Seabee in World War II. When she was 12, her mother passed away from surgical complications. Until her father returned, she lived with her Aunt Agnes and Uncle Whit. She also spent a lot of time at her Aunt Myrtle and Uncle George's. Aunt Myrt was like a second mother to her and to Jan's children, Aunt Myrt and Uncle George were "Grandma and Grandpa". Her cousin Betsy, (Aunt Myrt and Uncle George's daughter) who was 10 years younger, was Jan's "baby". They were closer than sisters. Betsy's children call her "Aunt Jan" and Jan cared for Betsy during the last three months of her life. It was the example of Aunt Myrt and Uncle George that interested her in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was baptized August 1, 1953.

She was close to all her aunts and uncles on both her mother's and father's sides. Uncle Carl was a great dancer and as a teenager she loved dancing with him. Uncle Charles, her dad's baby brother, helped buy her first car. Aunt Frieda's sons taught her to ride horses and Aunt Frieda told her the best way to raise boys was to put them in cage! And at Uncle Galen's, a concert pianist, she heard beautiful music and met Mae West and Metropolitan opera singer, Nadene Conner. Music was an important part of her life with a mother who sang like an angel. Janet sang and took violin lessons. She passed her love of music on to her children. There was always music playing from classical to popular songs to musicals.

When she was 13 years old, Jan got a horse – Sugar. They rode all over Torrance, Walteria and Palos Verdes, California. Many years later, at age 67, her dream of owning another horse came true. Buddy was her favorite horse. All the grandkids and her oldest great-grandchild learned to ride on him before he got too old to be ridden. His loss was hard on the whole family! Jan was blessed to be able to ride until she was 82. In the summer of 2020, her often voiced "bucket list" wish to ride just once more was granted. Her church home minister is an equine veterinarian and he arranged a safe ride for her in his clinic's arena which brought her great joy. She treasured the experience and loved to talk about it.

She was an only child who made life-long friends and "adopted" sisters throughout her life. She and her best friend, Isla, were friends from the age of 4 until Isla passed away 43 years later. Jan also had a group of 10 friends that were together from the 7th grade until they graduated from high school. They got together once a month for many years until many moved to different places. She continued to make close and treasured friends throughout her life.

She had a brief first marriage during which her daughter, Cathy, was born. She was introduced to Robert Lee Erickson by a mutual friend who told her not to get serious because they lived in two different worlds. Jan and Bob were married August 15,1954 and continued to live in two different worlds together for 67 years. Bob adopted Cathy in July 1955. Three sons were added to the family, Bill, Mike and Pat. Bob joined the Church in 1967 and they were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple for time and eternity in July 1968.
With three sons, Scouts was inevitable. There were yearly trips to Disneyland, trips to the beach and family gatherings for every holiday. Jan's house was always the neighborhood gathering place for her kids and their friends. To many of her children's friends, she is a second mom.

Jan was faithful in her Church callings. Her faith in the Lord was simple and profound. Jan loved well and was well-loved.

She is survived by her husband, Bob; children Catherine Lynn (Gene) Jorgenson, William Lee (Mycine) Erickson, Michael George (Stephanie) Erickson, and Charles Patrick (Joan) Erickson; 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren with another due in February, and one great-great grandchild; nephews and nieces. She has been welcomed Home by her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, her beloved cousin/sister Betsy, granddaughter Christina and great-grandsons Trevor and Reece. And, there is no doubt, herds of cats, dogs and horses.

Her family wishes to give special thanks to A+ Hospice nurses Desiree and Carol, and CNA Sheila. You made the unbearable bearable.

Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 8273 Simpson Springs Rd, Eagle Mountain, Utah (on the corner of Simpson Springs Rd and Half Mile Rd) on Friday, December 3rd with viewing from 10-11a.m. and funeral at 11a.m. Interment will be in the Utah Veteran's Cemetery & Memorial Park, 17111 South Camp Williams Rd., Bluffdale, Utah.

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