Janeth Rae Elliott Trowbridge

January 29, 1932 – February 1, 2023

Former Medford resident, Janeth Rae Elliott Trowbridge, 91, died February 1, 2023 at home in Seattle, surrounded by family.

Jan was born in Portland, Oregon on January 29, 1932, to Paul S. and Gladys Elliott. She attended Willamette

University, finishing her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts at San Jose State University. After graduation she worked for the USO in Italy, before going on to teach Arts & Crafts at Hedrick Jr. High in Medford. It was in Medford where she was a founder of the Rogue Gallery and Rogue Valley Art Association, where she later served as Gallery Director and Executive Secretary, respectively.

Jan married her first husband, Benjamin James Trowbridge Jr., in 1960 and together had four children – Kaylea, Cameron, Peter, and Kirk. She worked with her husband in their innovative retail store, Trowbridge’s, featuring the best possible design in toys, housewares, and local artist’s work. She also designed residential, office and church interiors and was a community volunteer.

Her community work centered on public education, mental health services, and child welfare. She was most delighted with her role in co-creating Artist in the Schools, which grew from a local to a Jackson County-wide program. The program placed artists-in-residence in elementary schools–exposing children and educators to the visual arts.

In 1984 Jan brought her love of nature, children, and art to Seattle. Before her retirement in 1996, she was Program Creator and Director at Grosvenor House Senior Residence. Jan was foremost an artist and illustrator working with watercolor, pastels, and Sumi-e. She was a member of Seattle League of Arts, Shoreline Arts Council, Seattle Co-Arts, and Art Not Terminal.

Jan is survived by her sister Ann Denny, her children and their spouses and partners, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a large extended family, and many best friends.