Janis Irene Hughes

May 28, 1954 -

May 4, 2022

Beloved friend, sister, wife, mother and grandmother, Janis Irene Hughes, peacefully left us on May 4, 2022, at 67 years old, with a life well-lived, after fighting a two-year battle with cancer. Although she waits for us, she is remembered through her family: sister, Carol Caldwell; husband of 50-plus years, Tommie Hughes; children, Shellie Hickok, Kimberly Hughes and Kylie Hughes; and grandchildren, Wyatt Hickok, Aidan Hickok, Easton Hickok, Elizabeth Hickok, Emma Dooley, Tyler Dooley and Joseph Mahaney.

Janis was born on May 28, 1954, in the Territory of Alaska to Albert Waddell Senior and Ethel Waddell. As a teenager she met her spouse, Tommie Hughes, and they wed on Dec. 16, 1971. Janis Hughes and Tommie Hughes were a pillar of the Anchorage community through their several family-run businesses: the Anchorage Roller Rink, Dimond Pets, Northway Pets and Royal Roller Rink. Among all their various businesses, Janis also created and sold artist teddy bears. She was a local, regional and national champion multiple discipline roller skater and coach of such, who also instilled a passion in her family and friends for roller skating as well. She loved to travel overseas for roller skating tournaments with Team USA and was often the loudest person of all the fans who attended. Janis was truly a beautiful soul who brought a little bit of magic to everything she touched.

To honor Janis' memory, a celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 4 p.m., at Sunset Hills Baptist Church with a short reception to follow. We invite anyone who would like to show their support to the family and remember our wonderful Janis' life.