Jan McCauley Obituary

McCauley
JAN HOWARD MCCAULEY
December 10, 1944 January 26, 2021
Jan Howard McCauley, 76, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2021 at Penrose
Hospital in Colorado Springs, with her daughter by her side. Jan was born on December 10, 1944 in Weatherford, Texas to Donald Sanford and Joyce Phelps Howard. She was the eldest of three girls. Jan grew up in Weatherford and Houston, Texas. She graduated from Weatherford High School and received her higher education at Texas Tech and the University of Texas at Austin.
Jan married Richard Gary McCauley on August 29, 1966 at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gary went on to become the owner of his family's automobile business while Jan continued her studies at The University of New Mexico. Jan became an active member of the Albuquerque Junior League and continued in the League after moving to Colorado Springs in 1977. The two made quite a pair, as they spent their time traveling the world, hot air ballooning, and yachting, never missing an opportunity for an adventure.
In 1982, Jan and Gary took on a new adventure when they welcomed a baby girl, Meegan Elizabeth, to the world. Jan was so very proud to bring her home to a house full of friends and family. As the years went by, Jan took on many philanthropic duties and became a pillar of the Colorado Springs community. She lived a life of service, volunteering her time and talent as a fundraiser and event planner for numerous entities, including The Fine Arts Center, JDRF, The Colorado Springs School, Goodwill, The Colorado Springs Debutante Ball, The Pioneers Museum, Newborn Hope, UCCS, and Penrose Hospital, of which she was a proud board member for many years.
Jan was also a talented artist and in 1990, she started a painting business with a good friend of hers. From murals in children's bedrooms to faux finishes in car dealerships and featured designs in the Parade of Homes, McLoew Designs was a success. After a few years, Jan left the business to dedicate more of her time to her daughter and to her philanthropic endeavors.
Jan was a one-of-a-kind class act. She put everybody before herself and always went to great lengths to make people feel welcomed and appreciated; she was the "hostess with the mostest." Not only did her smile light up a room, but her mere presence made the day just that much brighter. Her selflessness, generosity, and grace touched many lives in many ways. She was the backbone of her husband's businesses, the biggest cheerleader of her daughter's life, the kindest Mimi to her granddaughter, and the best friend to all those who were fortunate enough to know her. She left her mark not only on her family's lives, but on the lives of many others, near and far. Words cannot describe how Jan truly embodied all that is good in the world. Her kindness, beauty, loyalty, and love will never be forgotten; she will continue to live on in the hearts of those she loved. She may have "shuffled off this mortal coil," (a favorite saying of hers) but her spirit will shine on for eternity.
Jan and Gary were married for over 50 years before his death in March of 2019. Jan is also preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Joyce; sister-in-law Lusandra McCauley; and nephew, David Christopher Froehlich.
She is survived by her loving daughter Meegan Elizabeth; son-in-law Aaron Vinje; her beloved granddaughter, Jordan Elizabeth; sisters Valerie Froehlich and Donna O'Donnell of Weatherford, Texas; nieces Lili Froehlich and Shea Breving; and nephew Bryan Brown.
A private burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery. Due to Covid-19, A Celebration of Life will be planned for a future date.
If you would like to send in a story about Jan to be shared at her Celebration of Life, please send an email to: [email protected].
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Goodwill or Springs Rescue Mission.