Jan hails from a large Irish family - the fifth of seven children - all born here in Kansas City. Jan is the mother of seven children and now has 18 grandchildren. She grew up playing basketball and volleyball and later became a certified volleyball coach where she coached at St. Thomas More Elementary School for 20 years. Jan also enjoys gardening and earned her Master Gardeners Certificate in 2017.

Jan’s love for Kansas City and community runs deep as she is heavily involved in local organizations and currently serves on the board of directors for the Kansas City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and the Kansas City Irish Center where she is currently vice-president. She was on the Kansas City Irish Fest Board of Directors, serving as president in 2020 and 2021, and is now on its advisory board. Other major community events Jan is or has been involved in are Boulevardia, the Kansas City Royals World Series Parade, the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Parade, and the Go For The Green Food Drive for Harvesters Food Network.