Janice Lee Heller

PHOENIX – Janice Lee Heller, born September 23, 1949, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona after a stroke. Her loving family and best friends were by her side throughout her journey from this world. She was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Lamar, in 2007, and her mother, Betty Jo Lovett Lamar, in 2017.

Jan grew up in Springfield, Missouri, attending Parkview High School, Burge School of Nursing, Southwest Missouri School of Anesthesia, and Drury College. At age 23 she married then-Army Captain Ulf R. “Ron” Heller, and they raised their family in Edmond, Oklahoma. The two divorced, and Jan began her new life, moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and later to Tempe, Arizona.

Jan was many things: a respected nurse anesthetist for over 40 years, an adventurer, a believer in miracles, and a progressive and a free spirit, to name just a few. But above of all, she was a proud and loving mother to her two sons, Eric and Mark Heller, whom she often saw.

She is survived by her two sons, Eric Heller and his husband, Christopher Spivey, of New York, New York, and Mark Heller and his husband, Robert Oliver, of Los Angeles, California; her beloved sister, Donna Presley and her husband, Rick, of Venice, Florida; and her nieces, Allison Presley and her fiancé, Nicholas Petty, of Denver, Colorado, and Alex Roth and her husband Brent and son Elliott, of Overland Park, Kansas.

Jan offered this world unending, unconditional love. Though Jan never remarried, the love and devotion of her two sons, extended family and friends sustained her throughout her life. Jan taught those around her that it is never too early, too late or too often to say “I love you.” We love you, Jan.

A ceremony to celebrate her life will be held at The Watershed on South Lakeshore Drive in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 10:00am. The family suggests sending memorial contributions to the Essential Tremor Foundation of America.