I’m saddened to learn of the death, at the age of 92, of Janice Spofford,  Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Ecology and Evolution, Associate member of the Committees on Evolutionary Biology and Genetics. Michael La Barbera has sent me the following notice that he received from Janice’s son, George:

'Janice was a lifelong resident of Hyde Park and Kenwood in Chicago, with the exception of a childhood spell in Mason City, Iowa. A graduate of Hyde Park High School, she entered the University of Chicago with an academic scholarship from earning the top score on a statewide Latin competition. The youngest faculty member when she began instructing in 1949, she ultimately obtained her PhD, and spent her entire career teaching and researching biology and genetics at the University. She remained fascinated with Drosophila melanogaster [commonly known as the fruit fly or vinegar fly, very useful in research] throughout.

Gentle and caring, she travelled the world with her husband and family for conferences and vacations while remaining firmly rooted in her neighborhood. Travel fit with a love of collecting antiques and rugs. Though her career and science were important to her, her family was always first. She threw herself into annual holiday feasts for over fifty years, sang in the choir of the United Church of Hyde Park, was a member of the University's Service League and enjoyed the Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera. She was also an avid gardener who knew the names for all the bugs.

Predeceased by her sister Roslyn, she is survived by her husband Richardson, her two sons John and George, and her four grandchildren.

A memorial service is to be held at 2pm on April 21, 2018, at Montgomery Place, 5550 South Shore Drive, Chicago. Interment private.'"

-David Bevington, Secretary of Faculty Emeriti and co-chair of the Emeriti Steering Committee