Janice Lynn Hammack

Janice Lynn Hammack, 75, of Plano, Texas, passed peacefully into the gates of Heaven on July 16, 2026, following a courageous battle with ALS.

Jan was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on May 11, 1951, to Carl and Mary Katherine (née Misner) Shutt, as the youngest of three children, following her brother, Jack Shutt, and her sister, Karen (née Shutt) Hankey.

Jan attended Indiana University, where she met the love of her life, William “Bill” Franklin Hammack Jr., during a social dance held within her first few days on campus. What began with one dance became a beautiful love story that spanned more than five decades. They were married in 1974 and built a life rooted in family, faith, laughter, and unconditional love.

If there was one thing everyone knew about Jan, it was that she never met a stranger. She found tremendous joy in helping others discover the world around them. From her years as a beloved first-grade teacher to becoming a second mom to so many who crossed her path, Jan welcomed people with open arms, celebrated their successes as if they were her own, and quietly carried their burdens alongside them. Whether through a warm hug or an encouraging conversation, she had an extraordinary gift for making everyone feel at home.

Jan is survived by her devoted husband, William “Bill” Franklin Hammack Jr.; her son William “Billy” Carl Hammack and his wife Ana; her son Daniel “Danny” Franklin Hammack and his wife Ashton; her cherished grandchildren Rhett and Witten Hammack; her sister Karen Hankey; and many extended family members, cherished friends, and all whose lives were made brighter by knowing her. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Jack Shutt.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2026, at Allen Family Funeral Options in Plano, Texas. A reception for family will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to ALS research at: https://www.als.org/ in hopes that one day no other family will have to walk this difficult journey.