Caitlin Suzanne Janson, 35, of Fountain Hills, AZ passed away Wednesday June 19th 2024, in Apache Junction, AZ. She was born September 21st, 1988 in Anchorage, AK.
Caitlin was a beautiful, strong, independent and fiercely loyal person who loved her family and pets. Caitlin was known as “Skeeterbite”, affectionately nicknamed by her Grandpa, Glen Starn. As a young child, she always wanted to be with her Dad in the garage, trying to help, by wrenching on his 64 Chevy Nova SS. Really though, this meant dancing around in circles to 70s/80s rock n’ roll with her big sister Carly and bending down to take peeks underneath the cool blue car in the garage. If she wasn’t in the garage with Dad, then she was following in her sister’s wild antics, always being a perfect companion and built-in best friend. From rumble tumble gymnastics down the long hallway in the house, to dancing to Mom’s favorite Dolly Parton songs- whirling and twirling to her hearts content- her free spirit was ever present and so full of Joy. When not dancing and tumbling with her big sister or wrenching in the garage with Dad, she loved being with her Mom. who made the adventure of growing up in Alaska simply the best. From a freezer fully stocked with Otter Pops to grab and eat under the large Spruce tree fort in the front yard, to being bundled up in snow clothes to help Mom plow the sidewalk free of snow for all the neighborhood kids walking home from school, she was never far from her Mama. Caitlin loved nothing more than a good childhood adventure and that carried on into her next years.
After moving from Alaska to Arizona in 1993, Caitlin joined the Girl Scouts, where after 12 years, she earned the prestigious Gold Award. Caitlin and her Troop started a DJ business, providing services for many events. This showcased her love for music, that started from Dad’s garage and the living room dance parties with her Mom and Sister. Caitlin was honored to receive the Girls Scouts 2006 “Woman of Distinction” award, which is awarded to extraordinary women who exemplify the Girl Scout promise and law, as business, community and philanthropic leaders. While working for years towards her Gold award, Caitlin played basketball and softball, lettered in High School Cheer, and became a 2nd degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, a Korean Martial Art, which among many things, taught and embraced a spirit of Loyalty, Integrity, Perseverance and an Indomitable Spirit. Boy did she have that. An Indomitable Spirit is the part of a person that makes them Unique. Its eternal perseverance. It’s the part which provides hope, strength and courage to get up and face each day with a smile. She had such a beautiful smile.
After graduating from Fountain Hills High School early, Caitlin went on to earn her Associate of Applied Science Degree at Scottsdale Community College. Caitlin continued her higher education at The Ocean Corporation, NDT training center in Houston, Texas. There, she became a certified NDT Technician. She was also certified in Rope Access through her IRATA training. She spent time working in the Alaskan North Slope oilfields, where her Dad worked, inspecting the North Slope’s Prudhoe Bay oil facilities and pipelines. Caitlin later spent time inspecting such things as USN Nuclear Submarines, Coal-powered Electrical Generation Plants, Nuclear Power Plants and aeronautical/aerospace parts. Caitlin was beautiful but never gave up an opportunity to get her hands dirty- a modern day, Rosie the Riveter.
In her spare time as an adult, Caitlin loved nothing more then being outdoors adventuring. Taking trips to go four wheeling in her Dads ’68 Ford Bronco at events like King of the Hammers, to camping, fishing and hiking with her closest and dearest friends and family. She would again, spend time in the garage with her Dad, working on the many cars she had through the years, such as her Little Blue Suzie Q Mustang, to her Fiat Abarth.
Caitlin was an incredibly unique and beautiful person with a quirky and spunky livelihood that shone through her many beautiful art projects and crafts. She meticulously planned and executed them until they were perfectly imperfect. Each one, like her, was incredibly special and unique. Many were made as gifts to those she loved, who now have them to forever cherish.
Caitlin became ordained, to bestow the honor of joining her sister Carly and Brother-in-law Darren, in marriage, at their wedding in Lake Havasu, AZ. She also served as primary wedding planner and craft maker, making the event superbly special and intimate. She went on to do the same for a pair of her friends, as her ultimate gift to this world was always Love.
As an animal lover, Caitlin had many pets through the years that she loved and adored. From the cats: Kona, Barbarian, Frodo and Xena, to the dogs: CC, Prudhoe, Clyde and her beloved Dobermann’s- Suzie, Reaper, and Cyno Dean- Yes, “Cyno” the fear of dogs and “Dean” for the late, great rebel, James Dean. That said, if there was only one animal she could have had as a pet, she would have had an Elephant-yes an Elephant- she loved Elephants so much, that if you didn’t like Elephants, your opinion was “Ir-Elephant”!
Some of those we love in life, may precede us in death. The love shared endures within us always. We become apart of the Legacy of that Love. Love was Caitlin’s Legacy. As the book of John 16:22 says, “So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.” Until then, we will Love in Caitlin’s Honor.
Caitlin was preceded in death by:
Great Grandparents Bill & Lilian Stolt of Anchorage, AK
Grandpa Glen H. Starn of Anchorage, AK
Caitlin is Survived by:
Grandma Nancy F Starn of Anchorage, AK
Grandparents Lowell & Suzanne Janson of Fountain Hills/Apache Junction, AZ
Parents Taad & Leann Janson of Fountain Hills/Apache Junction, AZ
Sister and family Carly A (Janson), Darren, Lilja, Deegan Lingenfelder, Eden Brown of Fountain Hills, AZ
Uncle and Aunt Bill & Joni Starn, and cousins, Cameron and Joel Starn, and Sally (Starn) Stribney of AK
Uncle Trace Janson and Cousins, Justin and Chayse Janson of AZ
The Family requests that any donations be made, in lieu of flowers, to the following:
For her great love of dogs, especially her Dobermann’s, donations can be made in the name of Caitlin S Janson to a donor’s favorite animal shelter.
Since she had a passion for all things elephant, donations can be made in the name of Caitlin S Janson to: IEF, International Elephant Foundation.org (website: elephantconservation.org) Look for the donate button on their homepage.
A private, family gathering and Interment of Ashes will take place in Anchorage, AK on July 9th 2024. Scattering of Caitlins ashes will also occur at a few of her favorite places.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held on August 10th 2024, from 3pm-8pm at her parents’ home in Apache Junction, AZ. Please contact a family member for the home address if you plan on attending.