JANICE MAY USCHLBEC ERICKSON
Jan, age 73, died on August 19, 2021 at her home in Windsor, CO. She struggled for over six years with non-smoker’s lung cancer, using the mantra “I am not my body” and maintaining a positive attitude through her various rounds of treatment. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 16, 1947 and attended Fairview Park High School, The University of Toledo, and LaVerne College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology.
Jan married Stephen Flanders Erickson in June of 1967 and after Steve was commissioned as a US Navy officer, they traveled the world, living in 16 homes in 52 years. Steve and Jan had two children, Kristy (1970) and Keith (1972). They retired to Windsor, CO to be nearer to family.
Jan was a lifelong Girl Scout and an avid volunteer. She enjoyed nature, hiking, camping, and travel and sharing those passions with other Girl Scouts young and old. She held various roles over the years, as a scout, leader, and member of the Green Hat Society. She was a founding member of the Sierra Silver Streaks Chapter in NV and a member of the Plains to Peak Chapter in CO. Being a Girl Scout brought her friendships around the world. She travelled to England, Scotland, and Ireland with members of Tokyo Troop 113 in 1985 and to Switzerland with members of the Green Hat Society in September 2014. Her volunteer experiences always involved helping people, the most memorable being as her time as an EMT in South Carolina, an English conversation teacher during her years in Japan, and an educator at Elam Environmental Center at Camp Ken-Jockety near Columbus OH. Her last adventures took her on travels to Israel and Italy in 2019. A favorite quote of hers and one which inspired her to live ever day to the fullest – “Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”
Jan’s commitment to Girl Scouting was indeed life-long. She brought the Green Hat Society to Colorado, and encouraged involvement in various activities, groups and events around the state. She was involved in the Songbirds Girl Scout Choir, attended Women’s Week at Meadow Mountain Ranch, and was of assistance with several International Festivals, highlighting her own experiences with Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world. Her camp name was “Lief,” reminiscent of her commitment to the out-of-doors as well as to her family’s heritage.
It’s easy to see Jan with her jaunty hat and ready smile, singing all the way, immersed in camp’s activities and encouraging others to immerse themselves into Girl Scouting all through their lives. Jan, you are missed.
JOY CAROLYN LITTLE POHL
Joy died at age 96 on January 22, 2022. She was born in 1925 in Miami, Fl., and attended Miami Beach Public Schools. She was a member of the National Honor Society in high school, played the violin from age 3 and was active in dramatics, tennis and Girl Scouts. She attended Florida State College For Women and graduated with a degree in Music and Psychology.
Joy joined the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State and her first assignment in the fall of 1948 was in Seoul, Korea. She met Edward Pohl in Paris, France, where he served as a Courier, also with the Foreign Service. They were subsequently transferred to Germany, Panama, Sicily, and Tunisia. Continuing her Foreign Service as a Staff Officer and Executive Assistant to various Ambassadors, her posts included Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Haiti, Switzerland and Niger. They had two children, Lyn and John, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Joy was involved with Girl Scouts all over the world, through the Troops on Foreign Soil programs, serving as Leader and then Country Commissioner of North Germany. She served in leadership positions in Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
After she and Ed retired and moved to Estes Park in 1982, Joy became active with the Girl Scouts-Mountain Prairie Council in Northern Colorado. She was a troop leader as well as serving as First Vice President of the Board of Directors of MPGSC. She enjoyed participation and involvement with the GSCO History Group and the Promise Partners GS Alumni group. She was always eager to share her Girl Scouting travel experience with others through demonstrations, exhibits, trainings, talks and involvement with International Festivals.
“Always a Girl Scout” describes Joy perfectly. She carried her “joy” and enthusiasm for the history and traditions of Girl Scouting and Girl Guiding all over the world, even after their retirement through travels throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. A memorial bench will be constructed and installed at Meadow Mountain Ranch proudly displaying that theme, “Always A Girl Scout – in Memory of Joy Pohl.” Joy, you are a true inspiration.
LILLIAN MAE BRAGGE ZIEBARTH
Lillian died on February 11, 2022 in Littleton, CO., at the age of 82. She was born in Des Moines, IA. And grew up in Carlton, MN. She graduated from Carlton High School and married her high school sweetheart, Harold (Zeke) Ziebarth. They had 4 children and five grandchildren.
Lillian was an avid volunteer, often calling herself a “Professional Volunteer” when asked what she did for a living. She was an adult member of Girl Scouting for over 50 years and she was awarded one of the highest honors an adult member of Girl Scouts can receive – the Thanks Badge. She was a Girl Scout troop leader for all three of her daughters. She loved to sing and loved to teach large groups new songs. To this day there are many people who only knew her by her Girl Scout camp name, “Zing.” I can hear her singing, “Zing, Zing together, merrily, merrily, merrily Zing.” She was active in the Songbirds Girl Scout Choir, bringing along her 6-year-old granddaughter, Sammi Corwin. Sammi learned to play the guitar through the Songbirds and graduated from high school still singing along with “Zing.” For many years she was also a member of the alumni group in the Denver area, previously begun under Mile Hi Council.
“Zing” provided us with many old and new Girl Scout songs, and every time we sing “Z-Y-X” (the alphabet backwards!) she will be fondly remembered.