Ann Janica

Ann D Janica

Long time Hobbs resident Ann Janica passed away on November 13, 2020 in Hobbs, NM.

Ann was born July 10, 1923 in Philadelphia as a first generation Italian American to Carmine and Marietta Del Russo, as the oldest of three children.  Ann Marie Del Russo, nicknamed “AnnaDel”, helped her father prepare fish cakes which he sold on weekends from his popular food cart.  In doing so, she gained her skill and love of cooking.  Ann graduated from high school and went on to work for the Navy department supporting WWII in a very important duty; oversight and management of alcohol rationing tickets to Navy service men.  In doing so, this Philly city girl met a Ganado, Texas farm boy, who would soon become the love of her life, Joseph Thomas Janica.

Joe and Ann married on March 16, 1947.  While Joe was in the Navy and after, Ann developed her own career as an office manager.  They had two children, Jay and Vanessa.  After several oil industry transfers over the years, they settled down in Hobbs, New Mexico in 1967, where Joe retired from Exxon and started his own company, Natural Resources Engineering, and later, Tierra Exploration, the company in which Ann would end up serving as Joe’s right hand woman for many years to come. In addition to being driven in her own career, Ann went on to become the first woman on the Hobbs Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Ann always looked forward to enjoying the Hobbs social scene, including lunches and dinners at “the Club,” and monthly Alarm Clock parties.  These events always gave her reason for a new outfit, a red lip, and, of course, a pair of heels.

Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Joe.  She is survived by her son, Jay (Joseph T., Jr.) and his wife, Melanie, of The Woodlands, TX, daughter Vanessa Janica, of Hobbs, NM.  She has two granddaughters; Elizabeth Janica, of Houston, TX, and Katherine Janica Kalina, of New Orleans, LA.  Ann was a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many.  Known as “Del” to her family, she was tough as nails, always serving as an example for how to remain steady, confident, and resilient through life’s challenges.  She spoke her mind, had a great sense of humor, and sparkled as the life of any party.  Her personality was as fiery as her red nails.  Her long, vibrant life left a legacy on many, and she will be deeply missed.