Janice L. Sparks, 77

BRISTOL — Janice "Jann" Lynn (Stewart) Sparks of Bristol, died Nov. 1, 2024, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

She was born on March 31, 1947, in Springfield, Missouri, the daughter of Roma and Alta Stewart. She was the wife of Richard E. Sparks. They were married on Aug. 24, 1968, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Jann graduated from the Music Conservatory of the University of Missouri at Kansas City with a bachelor of music in violin performance in 1973. Among her teachers and mentors were Herbert Whone in England, Robert Brink in Massachusetts, and Elliott Markow in New Hampshire. She taught in Bradford, England, as a peripatetic violin instructor from 1978 to 1982 and then many years as a private violin teacher in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Manchester, and Plymouth. Simultaneously with her teaching, Jann also played in various New England orchestras: the Cape Cod Symphony under Royston Nash, where she was associate concert master; the Boston Classical Orchestra, under Harry Ellis Dixon; the Granite State Symphony, under Robert Babb; and the Lakes Region Symphony, under Ben Green.

Janice loved dogs, particularly border collies, and spent many happy hours hiking with them near her Bristol home. She was a member of Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Plymouth, and of Westport, Massachusetts, Meeting of Friends (Quaker). She was also extremely proud of her Native American heritage. 

She was predeceased by her brother Paul Stewart, her brother-in-law Jerrel Maples, and two nephews, Chris Maples and Clint Maples.

Jann is survived by her husband of 56 years, Richard Sparks of Bristol; her sister Norma Maples of Strafford, Missouri; her niece Alta Patterson and husband Steve of Strafford, Missouri; her nephews, Jimmy Maples and wife Kathy of Fairgrove, Missouri, William Maples and wife Laura of Houston, Texas; as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews. In addition, she is mourned by her sister-in-law Marilyn Emmett and husband Patrick of Overland Park, Kentucky, and her brother-in-law Douglas Sparks and wife Annaelisa of Riverside, California, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Plymouth, with Rev. Linda Barnes officiating.

Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, Boscawen. To view Janice's online tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit csnh.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jann's memory may be made to New England Border Collie Rescue c/o Mo Clark, Treasurer, 14 Winifred Road, Framingham, MA 01701.