Sugar Doll’s Storied Life

One of the most astonishing parts of working with Janiece was the depth of her memory. She recalled childhood travel in remarkable detail — the unpleasant stays in tourist homes, meeting with New Orleans antiques dealers, and summer drives through the Colorado mountains with her grandmother. She remembered the meals her mother served while entertaining guests in Fort Worth and could describe the foods and rituals of hospitality as though they had happened the week before. She also delighted in recounting mischievous adventures with her cousins, revealing the spirited personality behind her many accomplishments.

As we worked on the book, I became invested in understanding the worlds that shaped Janiece and her family. To better appreciate her mother-in-law’s early immigrant experience, I took a Lower East Side tenement tour in New York to help understand the crowded conditions many newcomers endured when arriving in America. I also visited the Scott Mansion in Fort Worth, one of the grand cattle baron homes where Janiece’s father spent part of his childhood. Standing in those places added dimension to the stories Janiece shared and helped bring her memories to life on the page.

Janiece’s professional life was equally interesting; she was a gifted scientist and hospital administrator. During the final thirty years of her career, she served first as COO of John Muir Medical Center and later as CEO of the John Muir Physician Network. But beyond the titles and achievements, Janiece remained deeply devoted to her family. Married for a total of sixty years, she is the mother of six children and grandmother of ten, and the book leaves no doubt that family has always been at the center of her life.

Sugar Doll’s Storied Life is now available on Amazon.com. I feel honored to have helped preserve Janiece’s memories, voice, and remarkable journey.