Janan Alpar Maes

Janan Alpar-Maes, fiercely devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 6th, 2025, at the age of 54, after nearly three years of bravely fighting end-stage illness caused by systemic sclerosis. She made the choice to enter hospice when she knew she had given everything she had for herself and for her family.

Born on October 24, 1970, in Berlin, Germany, Janan came to the United States at just two years old with her father, Avni, and her brother, Jim. Though she was raised in the U.S., her heart belonged to her Turkish roots and culture, and that fire in her soul never faded.

Janan was a woman you didn’t forget. She was real, raw, honest, and beautifully blunt. She told it like it was, and somehow still made you feel safe, seen, and loved while doing it. To know her was to instantly feel like you were home. welcomed, cared for, and probably well-fed. She had a heart big enough to hold everyone. She found joy in cooking, spending countless hours with her grandkids and family, in creating a warm and spotless home, and in playing her favorite Kid Rock songs while singing every word. 

Her greatest pride was her family. She lived for them. She was the heart and soul of her home..  a caretaker, a protector, a truth-teller, and a fighter. She poured her love into everything she did, especially for her husband Paul, her children Donovan and Tayla, and her beloved granddaughters, Audrey and Myla.

Janan is survived by her husband Paul, her children Donovan and Tayla, her granddaughters Audrey and Myla, her father Avni, her brother Jim, sister Tugba and countless friends who became like family. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and the kind of honesty that made you feel understood. She will be missed more than words can say, but her presence will never leave the hearts of those who loved her.