Janice Holyoak Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt returned home to her loving Father in Heaven on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, while at her daughter’s home in Seabrook, Texas, surrounded by her family. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 31, with viewing beginning at 10:15 a.m. at the Emery Cemetery in Fort Thomas, Ariz. Janice has four children and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her father, Oscar DeGraff; mother, Gertrude DeGraff; and daughter, Jacienda, as well as one brother and two sisters. She is survived by her children Trudy Iaccino, Melvin (Jim) and Andrea; grandchildren, Miranda, Natasha and Sabrina Iaccino, and Ambrose, Jorja and Carma Austin, as well as one brother and two sisters. Janice taught elementary school at Holbrook Unified School District for 35 years. She loved educating and was thrilled as children she taught grew up and sent their children to be taught by her. Compliments from former students brought her an unparalleled joy. After retiring from HUSD, she loved to travel to visit friends and relatives and did as much as she could. Her 25 yearlong battle with breast cancer minimized the amount of traveling she could do, but plans for future travel strengthened and uplifted her in the difficult phases of cancer treatment. We love and admire her strength and tenacity. She was truly a very resilient person who navigated a very challenging life and learned to find the joy in even the most difficult situations. Her resiliency was an example for her children and inspiration to those who knew her. Vining Funeral Home in Safford handled the arrangements.
