Janice Gail Motyka

Janice Gail Kilpatrick Motyka, 74 years old, left this earth to be with her loved ones in heaven, to be with her cat Marvin and her fur baby Gracie. Her beloved husband Edward Motyka, the love of her life and her favorite Aunt Mamilee.

Janice was born in Murphy NC on April 16,1949. Janice was raised for the first 5 years of her life by her beloved Grandma Linnie May Zervas with her younger sister Linda where she learned the Appalachian ways of Murphy NC while also living in the foothills of TN. When Janice was a toddler she would then move again with her grandmother to Cleveland TN. Janice was the 2nd of 4 siblings with her oldest brother, John (Chipper) only sister Linda being the 3rd child, and younger brother Michael whom she adored. At the age of 5 she was sent with her immediate family to Detroit MI until she graduated high school.  After high school Janice joined the Navy where she graduated first in her squad and served her country for 4 years. She was stationed in Hawaii for a short time where she met Robert Mitchum, whom she always said her Edward looked like.  When Janice was discharged from the Navy, she settled down in Mobile AL.  Janice was well known with every job she ever had.  Janice never met a stranger. She was a bright light to children where she worked and retired from La Petite Academy in Mobile AL.  She would help the students learn how to bake breads and cookies. She taught history and agriculture to them.  Janice would return to La Petite and volunteer her time by donating books and reading to the children.   She shared her love of art and music which included writing letters to famous musicians, that would actually write back to the children. In later years she would devote hundreds, if not thousands of hours of her time to the Master Gardeners Club. Janice was also a member of the local DAR of Mobile AL. She invested countless hours and money learning about her Kilpatrick name and heritage. She also volunteered for her local Habitat For Humanity programs where she would volunteer her time for the benefit of others. Janice was an environmentalist and studied horticulture. She was in contact with Auburn University to learn about her own soil.  She worked in her yard carefully planting flowers and trees she knew would thrive in the environment. Janice loved to go to the local carnival and fairs every year. She also loved  to see the Botanical Gardens yearly. Janice loved all music, especially Marvin Gaye, The Commodores and she just recently saw the Temptations when they came to Mobile.   Janice was always learning and utilizing her gifts into making music, writing poetry, performing in karaoke, and poetry readings. She desired to write a screenplay where Sylvester Stallone would star however, would settle for Keanu Reeves. Her favorite sayings were “Rock On Man”, “Far Out”, “Ahhh Man”, “C’mon Man”. Janice had many vivid dreams that she made come true and some she shared to those closest to her, to try to make come true through the potential she saw in those she truly cared for. Janice devoted a lot of her last years to her Kilpatrick heritage and history and she loved her family very much.  Janice will be greatly missed not just for her eccentric energy but always motivating someone to be a better version of themselves inviting you to always learn something new.  She will be missed dearly by her niece Teresa who loved to spend countless hours on the phone talking about life.  She will be missed by her dearest sister in law and friend Karen, and dearest friend, Charlene and family Cameron and Danny who devoted a lot of memories made with Janice.

Janice is preceded in death by her beloved grandmother Linnie May Zervas of Cleveland TN, her sister Linda Kilpatrick McKinney of Cleveland TN , Father John O Kilpatrick & Mother Mary Lou Kilpatrick of Detroit MI.  Spouse Edward Motyka of Farmington Hills MI, who was the love of her life and was reunited with her later in life. Survivors of Janice Motyka are: brother John Kilpatrick (Karen, & nephew Sean) of St Claire Shores MI, brother Michael Kilpatrick of Detroit MI, maternal niece Teresa Lawson(Phillip) of Decatur TN, Charity Lawson, Decatur TN, Brenden Lawson (Stephanie) of Farragut TN, Payton Lawson (Sierra) of Decatur TN maternal Niece Mary Nunley (Basil) of Riceville TN,  Maternal Niece Janice Linn Burrell and Maternal Nephew Emanuel Burrell (Jeannie),  Maternal Uncle, Jack Zervas all from Cleveland TN as well as several extended family members, cousins, great nieces and nephews and special great great niece, Ella Rose Lawson and great great nephew, Levi Phillip Lawson. Dearest friend Charlene (Danny and Cameron).  In lieu of flowers please plant a tree in Janice’s-memory, learn something new daily, and “Rock On Man!”

Her dearest friend Charlene wrote the following in Janice’s memory:  She was one of a kind but she was truly loved by the people who knew her as she always had a smile and a story to tell. She loved nature and listening to the birds as she was always telling me “if birds could talk…I wonder what story they would share or the world we live in.”She loved her siblings as she use to share laughter and smiles and loved her Niece Teresa and family. She loved hearing about her dogs and funny things they did overnight. Janice will always be remembered for what she did for others and the lives she touched will forever hold a special place in our hearts. “Rock on Janice” as she never told me bye or goodbye…it was always “Rock On Man” ..”see ya later” and I would say…after while crocodile…peace.  Janice I can still hear you singing Fly like an Eagle by Steve Miller band. I love you Janice and even though you told me your love was to say “take care” I knew you loved me. You were definitely a kaleidoscope with many colors also fly like an eagle as I know you’re doing today.

In Aunt Janice’s Memory:
When we had it so good
We had it so good
So long ago, when we were young.
And I was yours, and you were mine
Forty years later, I'm still Yours and you are mine.
Images cast down, from memories.
Held intact, reminds us of how good it was.
To keep what's good inside yourself
And pass it along to others
As time goes on, keeps us Blessed in our existence.
The next forty years will tell
Our story on how we lived and celebrated our lives.
We had it so good so long ago,
When we were young and I was yours, and you were mine.
JKM
Janice Kilpatrick Motyka

Janice will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, Edward Motyka, at the Parkview Memorial Cemetery, 34205 Five Mile Rd., Livonia, MI 48154 and the Service will be officiated by Phillip Lawson with Military Honors

Please share a memory of Janice by signing her guestbook.

Arrangements by the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Rd., Livonia, 48154, 734-422-6720.