Dan Blanchett added this message on July 24, 2011:

It's been a year now since I lost Jana, and we'd agreed I would stop accepting new guestbook submissions at the one year mark. Ever thoughtful, she didn't feel it was right for me to monitor and approve these entries for the rest of my life; by now she hoped everyone she knew will have had the chance to leave their comments. If not, please contact me at the link above. Now that I've had more time and distance to further reflect on what we went through together, I feel even more blessed to have shared my life with Jana, and even for her necessary, if untimely, release from pain. I've had the chance to share her story with countless others, to watch complete strangers break down and cry as they grieved her experience into their own. I intend to keep this site up and running for as long as there is an Internet, with the hope that more people may find their way to its pages and be touched by the life of this amazing woman. And perhaps more importantly for Jana, to maybe give a little extra to her charities-- her primary motivation for agreeing to this site. I want to personally thank everyone who contributed to this time capsule and left their heartfelt remarks. It's been an immeasurable comfort to me and her family.

Josh Wells added this message on June 6, 2011:

June 6, 2011. I came in today to say hello and introduce my wife and son to you. I was completely blown away at the news of your passing. All I can say now is, Thank you for everything you did for me and you will be missed.

Anna Bellatorre added this message on January 23, 2011:

Tomorrow will be six months since you've been gone, but when I stop to think about it, it still feels like it was just yesterday. I wish I could have done more for you. I miss you, Jana, my dear friend.

Carin Willis added this message on January 10, 2011:

Dear Jana

The passing of time has not eased the ache of your passing but it has allowed moments of clarity after reflecting on the impact you had on my life when my health was at its worst. I felt guilty when my health improved while your health worsened. You never made me feel guilty- it was a guilt I put onto myself.

A few months after your passing I took a road trip to Wyoming with Nicholas. We spent a windy Saturday morning hiking in Freemont Canyon. We reached a pinnacle that was at a height where few trees grew and as I reached the summit you flashed into my mind. It would have been your birthday weekend and as my tears fell I told you 'Happy Birthday, Jana, your first birthday without pain in many years.' I sat on a boulder and thought of our many conversations over the years and of the elegant and thoughtful birthday gifts that you used to send me (always on time in spite of your incredibly intense work schedule) and I imagined there was no gift greater than one's health, love and friendship. As the wind dried my tears I looked up at the sound of a black and white bird that was talking to me from the top of the tallest tree closest to me. I smiled and knew it was you and that you were ok.

It's taken many months to share this story. I still think of you often, Jana and still find it jarring that I cannot talk to you about a great new book or an advancement in the treatment of IC. All thoughts are of joy in knowing you are now free of pain.

Faye L Black added this message on December 22, 2010:

I think of Jana mostly at Christmas time, since this is when I knew her from. Although the family Christmases have passed, as have many of the people that were there, I will remember those times with great love and peace. On this first Christmas that Jana has been gone, I just think of her and remember her at those Christmases

David Griffiths added this message on November 29, 2010:

I have never met Jana or any of her family. I stumbled upon this website and was very moved by the examples of love and courage that are shown. I was diagnosed with cancer early this year and am helped when I see how another person and their family have been able to face such adversity with dignity and bravery. My condolences to all of Jana’s family.

Julian Pritsch added this message on October 22, 2010:

Dear Jana Pershing,
I just found out about your passing recently. I was an exchange stundent from abroad (Germany)and I attended your "Sociology of Murder" Class in 2008. The content of the course and especially you as a professor inspired me and my academic work. In fact it affected me so greatly that I decided to compose my final thesis about delinquent students. And even more: I got the opportunity to work for the Max Planck Institute for Foreign
and International Criminal Law (Department of Criminology). Right now I am working on my PhD Thesis.

Thanks for inspiring me.

Julian

Kristy Gladfelter added this message on September 12, 2010:

Remembering Jana on what would have been her 42nd birthday. I miss her every day and hope that she has found the peace that she deserves. I miss you my friend, love, Kristy

Anna Bellatorre added this message on September 12, 2010:

Happy Birthday, Jana! You are gone, but not forgotten my dear friend.

Jill Esbenshade added this message on September 3, 2010:

Jana I cannot express how much I miss having you as a friend and a co-workers. Your fierce commitment to fairness, integrity and justice made you the best of colleagues. You gave so much to the department and so much support to myself and other newer women faculty and staff. You are very sorely missed by us as well as by the students, who repeatedly tell me that your teaching sociology class was the best class they ever took. They were touched by your humanity and courage, as I will continue to be for the rest of my life.