The Life and Legacy of Janice D. Steenblik (1951-2012)
Early Life and Childhood
Janice D. Steenblik was born in 1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah to W. Virgil and Vera Y. Dick. As a child, she formed a close bond with her brother Terry, who was just 11 months younger than her. Their sibling relationship would become foundational to both their lives, as they navigated childhood adventures and challenges together.
The Dick family lived on a farm in Missouri from approximately 1954 to 1957, where Janice and Terry would gather eggs from chickens, ride on the fenders of their cousin's tractor, and take baths in galvanized tubs on the porch. These early rural experiences helped shape Janice's appreciation for simple living and close family connections.
In 1957, the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, settling at a home on Wabash Street. During this period, Janice experienced many childhood "firsts" alongside her brother—learning to ride bikes, catching fireflies in summer evenings, and developing the sense of adventure that would characterize her later life. The family frequently traveled during these years, visiting Washington DC, Texas, and New York, sparking what her brother later called her "wanderlust."
Adolescence and Education
In 1959, the family moved to Filmore Street in Salt Lake City, where Janice attended grade school. During this period, Janice took piano lessons, which developed into a lifelong talent and love of music. She became a skilled pianist and organist who would later share this gift with her children and community.
A pivotal moment in Janice's development came when her family relocated to New Zealand in 1962, where her parents dedicated themselves to supporting development and growth in the country. During these formative years, Janice fell in love with Maori people and their culture, developing a deep appreciation for cultural diversity that would inform her worldview throughout her life.
In New Zealand, Janice attended the Church College and received her first church calling as Primary Pianist, accelerating her piano skills. According to her brother, "suddenly you got so good at playing the piano that you left me in the dust - I was amazed and proud."
The Grand Journey
From February to May 1965, the Dick family embarked on an extraordinary journey around the world. This three-month adventure would prove to be a pivotal experience in Janice's life, expanding her horizons and deepening her appreciation for global cultures.
The journey began in New Zealand where the family had been living for some time. Janice had been living in Hamelton whil e her parents were volunteer service missionaires for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Upon completion they traveled to Australia, where they boarded the ship Canberra. They sailed through a typhoon in the Indian Ocean before reaching Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), where Janice rode elephants for the first time. Their travels continued to Aden, Yemen, where they witnessed stark poverty that left a lasting impression. The family then explored Egypt and Cairo, visiting the ancient pyramids before moving on to Jordan, Jerusalem, and Israel, where Janice walked in places connected to biblical history. The global tour continued through Athens, Rome, Munich, Paris, and London, providing Janice with cultural experiences that would shape her worldview.
This global education gave Janice a unique perspective that many Americans of her generation lacked. It reinforced her appreciation for different cultures while instilling a deep love for her own country when they finally returned to the United States via New York City.
Young Adulthood
After returning to Salt Lake City, Janice attended East High School. During this time, she became involved with Future Businessmen of America and met Roelof Scott Steenblik, who would later become her husband.
After graduating from high school, Janice attended Brigham Young University, where she earned a degree in Elementary Education. Her commitment to education was evident from an early age, as she had frequently shared her school learnings with her younger brother.
Following her university education, Janice served a mission for her church in Norway, deepening her spiritual convictions and further expanding her global perspective.
Marriage and Family
In 1975, Janice married Roelof Scott Steenblik in the Salt Lake Temple. According to her brother, Scott was "the love of her life," whom she had met as a teenager. Their marriage marked the beginning of what Janice considered her "lifelong dream" of building a loving family centered on Jesus Christ. Together, Janice and Scott raised children who would continue her legacy of education, exploration, and service.
Professional Life and Achievements
Janice taught elementary school for more than fifteen years, influencing hundreds of children through her dedication to education. Her commitment to lifelong learning was exemplified when, at age 58, she obtained her Master's Degree in Elementary Education while continuing to teach.
As an educator, Janice was known for her patience, creativity, and genuine care for her students. She viewed education not merely as academic instruction but as an opportunity to nurture well-rounded individuals who would contribute positively to society.
Character and Values
Throughout the documents, several consistent characteristics emerge about Janice:
She was extraordinarily determined and consistently unselfish. She loved exploring the world, appreciating natural beauty, and prioritizing family.
Her brother noted that she "always seemed to believe anything I told you and made me feel like a million bucks and like I was the smartest guy around." This affirming presence, along with her "always-present smile," were key character traits that drew people to her.
Janice embodied compassion and service throughout her life. Her passion for education, commitment to family, and appreciation for the world's beauty became the three pillars upon which her memorial foundation would later be established.
Later Life and Legacy
Janice faced her final challenge with the same determination that characterized her life. She had a cancerous relaps and ultimately lost her battle with cancer on Sunday, September 23, 2012; only to triumphantly pass from this life to the next as one of the most benevolent, loving, generous, and kind individuals.
Her legacy continues through multiple avenues. The Janice D. Steenblik Memorial Foundation & Fellowship (JDSMF) was established to promote the values Janice embodied: education, family, and exploring the world's natural beauty. The fellowship supports passionate individuals from around the world and across disciplines whose work addresses these core values. Additionally, the Janice D. Steenblik Learning Centre (JDSLC) in Uganda's Kibaale District aims to provide high-quality, affordable, and holistic education to rural communities. The Learning Centre seeks to nurture well-rounded, values-driven citizens who will contribute positively to Uganda's future. Perhaps most importantly, Janice's values, determination, and selflessness live on through her children and extended family, who continue to honor her memory through their own commitments to education, family, and appreciation of the world's beauty.
Fellowship Recipients
The Janice D. Steenblik Memorial Fellowship has supported several notable individuals whose work aligns with Janice's values. The inaugural fellow in 2015 was Hal R. Boyd, who graduated with honors from Brigham Young University and was a J.D. candidate at Yale Law School. His writing has appeared in various venues, including BYU Studies Quarterly and The Oxford Handbook to Mormonism. In 2017, the fellowship supported Sharon J. Harris, a PhD Candidate in English at Fordham University whose dissertation examined how music forms communities in seventeenth-century English literature. The fellowship supported her attendance at The 2017 Historical Notation Bootcamp at Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, honoring Janice's love of music. More recently, in 2024-2025, Peter Isingoma became a fellow. An educator with over a decade of experience in teaching and educational leadership, Peter is dedicated to expanding access to quality education in Uganda's Kibaale District. As the visionary behind the Janice D. Steenblik Learning Centre, Peter brings both practical experience and academic expertise to create a model for sustainable, community-centered education.
Conclusion
Janice D. Steenblik's life (1951-2012) exemplifies how one person's commitment to education, family, and appreciation of the world can create ripples of positive change that extend far beyond their lifetime. From her childhood adventures with her brother Terry to her global travels, from her dedicated teaching career to her loving family life, Janice embodied the values of compassion, determination, and selflessness.
Today, through the foundation and learning centre that bear her name, Janice's legacy continues to transform lives across continents, creating educational opportunities for new generations while honoring the principles that guided her remarkable life. As her brother Terry wrote shortly before her passing, her "smile and influence and childhood-encouragement, faith and love... will live forever in my heart and the teaching and love you have given to your children will be remembered and passed on for generations yet to come."
Interested in a fellowship? Feel free to contact us for more information.
The Janice D. Steenblik Memorial Fellowship takes applications on a rolling basis. In order to start the application process please send a quick note expressing your interest, with the subject JDS Memorial Fellowship Application.
The Janice D. Steenblik Memorial Foundation is primarily run by R. Spencer Steenblik with support from his siblings and surviving father.