Janice Thiese
Janice had many varied opportunities during her work career. In the late 60’s and early 70’s she was a long distance telephone operator and later as an investigator for wrong number billings, with Southern Bell Telephone Company. After taking a break to start a family and be home with her children, Janice went back to work and spent 15 years working as a teaching assistant and music director in a pre-school serving 4 and 5 year olds. In the years after the pre-school, Janice worked as a sales associate and assistant manager for a Gift Shop specializing in collectibles. Then as a marketing assistant, managing samples and literature for a business providing raw materials for the paints and coatings industry and finally, before retiring, as Royalty Program Coordinator for the International Cherry Blossom Festival in Macon, Georgia.
As the wife of a 21 year U.S. Navy Veteran, Janice is committed to the support of those who serve in our Armed Forces and their families. During her husband’s service in California, she served as Ombudsman for the U.S.S. John Paul Jones and later served as Ombudsman for the Naval Station, San Diego, California. As Ombudsman she was the liaison between the Navy Command and families of those serving. After returning to Georgia, Janice joined a garden club and was later invited to join the Board of Directors for The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. as the Blue Star Memorial Marker Chairman. She has managed the program, which now also includes the Gold Star Families Marker, for the entire state since 2008. Janice is passionate about the Blue Star Marker Program because it honors those who have served, are serving or will serve in our Nation’s Armed Forces and the Gold Star Families Marker Program because it honors the Families of the Fallen. Since the Gold Star Families Marker was added in 2015, Janice has facilitated the installation of 11 Gold Star Families Markers throughout the state of Georgia.