Janice "JC" Stanhope

Janice "J.C." Stanhope, 84, of Baker passed away on March 21, 2025 at Superior Care Villa. Graveside services will be held at a later date.

Janice Carole (J.C.) Stanhope was born June 6, 1940 at Baker, MT to Robert W. and Betty F. Stanhope.

She was the 6th of 8 children. Janice grew up in Baker Schools, graduating in 1958. As a senior in high school, she went to work as a telephone operator which she continued working there until her marriage.

Janice was united in marriage to Emery Roy Robinson of Fallon, NV on July17, 1959 in Baker, MT, at which time they moved to Nevada. The marriage was dissolved in 1974 and Janice moved back to Baker.

She worked at Ben Franklin, Lawler Drug and then Fullerton Lumber Company for which she worked both in Baker and Terry. In Terry she was manager until Fullerton Lumber sold. She then went to Miles City Beauty College in 1985 and after graduating in 1986 moved to Nevada and worked for eight years as a cosmetologist. She moved back to Baker in 1994 where she continued working as a cosmetologist in her own salon and Donnetta’s Beauty Den until she retired in 2002. While working she also became manager of the Fallon Village Apartment Complex until 2009 when she retired due to health problems. She survived Stage 4 Colon Cancer and then started enjoying her time painting, doing crafts, going to garage sales, working in the exhibit building during Fallon County Fair, doing research on the books she was writing, doing genealogy research on family history. She also was involved in or was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. R.S.V.P. Historical Society, Friends of the Library, Fallon County Museum, Tumbleweed Artist group, SMART and Senior Citizen. She spent her last four years at Superior Care Villa where she enjoyed reading, doing crafts, visiting, playing bingo, and putting puzzles together. She developed meaningful relationships with the staff and other residents. The family would like to thank Michelle and all the staff at Superior Care Villa for her time there in a dignified and caring setting. They all went above and beyond in caring for her especially in the last few months.

JC had many talents. She was an artist and painted many beautiful pictures, which won lots of blue ribbons at the Fallon County Fair. She also paint lots of rocks as rabbits, deer and even hamburgers. She was always excited when even the great nieces and nephews came over and she helped them paints rock too. She enjoyed making afghans, sewing blankets and other craft items. Making jewelry and Christmas ornaments for the family. Every year at Christmas she made many batches of peanut butter fudge and rosettes to share with family. JC was an author and genealogist. She spent hours at the library, courthouse, and funeral home to write the two books, “So That’s Where They Are Now; Volume 1 from 1902-2004 and Volume 2 from 2005-2009. Her niece, Allison and brother, Lyle helped with proofreading Volume 2. While doing the research for the books at the cemetery, she was instrumental in getting grave markers put on graves that were unmarked. She wrote a book about Baker Businesses Then & Now in 2008. She collected family recipes from everyone willing to share in 1998 and combined them into “The Stanhope Family Cookbook”. With research from her niece Allison and information given to her from many other people, she wrote, Footprints from the Past; The story of the Stanhope, Chesmore and Kreager Families.

Janice is survived by her sister, Jean Hanratty of Baker; brothers, Roger (Judy) Stanhope of Bakersfield, CA, Lane (Robin) Stanhope of Baker; sister-in-law, Elaine Stanhope of Baker; nieces and nephews: whom she considered all as her honorary children; Deanna (Rolland) Topp and family, Roberta Hanratty and family; Steve (Julie) Stanhope and family, Barbara Stanhope and family, Robert (Kristi) Stanhope and family, Brett (Erin) Stanhope and family,Allison (Marty) Gonsioroski and family, Sandra Shipley and family, Cheryl (Jared) Howard and family, Jennifer Stanhope and girls, Melissa (Kris) Reynolds and family, Curt Williams, Lora (Kent) Ketterling and family, David (Alyssia) Stanhope and family, Valerie (Michael) Hatfield and family, Aileen Jamison and family, Brad (Cari) Stanhope and family, Jana Barry (Jake Mckenzie) and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Ashley, Merlin Dale, Lyle and Robert Neal Stanhope; sisters-in-law, Joann, Myrt, Mary Lou Stanhope; brother-in-law Walt Hanratty; nephews-in-law, Terry Thompson and Larry Shipley.

At Janice’s request there will be no funeral. Cremation has taken place and a graveside service will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her memory to Superior Care Villa, PO Box 1524, Baker, MT 59313.