Janet Faye Nichols

Janet Faye (Hoagland) Nichols, 79, of Kansas City, KS, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 11, 2016, at Villa St. Francis in Olathe, KS.

Janet Faye was born on October 24, 1936 in Kansas City, Kansas as the oldest of two daughters to L. William (Bill) and Estelle Hoagland. She graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, KS in 1954 and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education with Honors from the University of Kansas in 1968. She was blessed to do her student teaching at Chelsea Elementary School in Kansas City, KS, in the same building where her father, her sister and she had attended elementary school. She often remarked that it felt like 'coming full circle' and confirmed that education was her calling. Janet Faye's entire 30 year teaching career was spent teaching 2nd grade at Spring Valley Elementary School in Raytown, MO.

She also took great joy in her 33 years working weekends and summers in the Costume department at Worlds of Fun, working with both the kids in the park as well as the live entertainment talent throughout the park. She loved the environment and atmosphere, saying it kept her young at heart.
She treasured her time both teaching 2nd grade and at Worlds of Fun, developing dear and lifelong friendships in both these aspects of her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Estelle Hoagland, and her sister, Nancy Hoagland.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Karen (Nichols) and Terry McAbee of Olathe, and her two grandsons, Michael and Christopher McAbee, of Olathe.

Services will be held at the Penwell-Gabel Chapel in Olathe on Monday, March 14 at 11:00am. Visitation will be immediately prior from 10:00 to 11:00am.