Janice Rivers Obituary

Janice P. Rivers Isle of Palms - Janice Maie Park Rivers, of Isle of Palms, SC, was born in Rockingham County, NC on September 19, 1937, the daughter of Arthur I. Park and Maie Kivette Park. She died peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 4, 2022. Her family and friends remember her as unfailingly generous with her support and unconditional love. She was always supportive, kind, calming, and forgiving, bringing out the best in those around her. She was also challenging and unique with a brilliant wit and a confident, opinionated perspective on countless subjects from how to make the best spaghetti to the state of our education system. She was an animal lover and a sports fan, avidly following college basketball and the Gamecocks. Last, but certainly not least, she was an adventurer. She traveled the world over with family and friends, enjoying cultures, foods, history, vistas, and companionship (plus maybe a little luxury). She will be sorrowfully and deeply missed by many. Jan had a distinguished career of 40 years of service to the State of South Carolina and the nation. She served as the director of IT, Planning and Research for several State Agencies, most notably the SC Department of Juvenile Justice. Remarkably, she was an early and critical contributor to the standardization of data collected by juvenile justice agencies throughout the nation. As importantly, she pioneered the use of these data to support daily management tasks, policy analysis, and research that led to better lives for children in South Carolina and across the country. Jan is predeceased by her brother, Grier Park and each of her former husbands: David Blair Rivers, Dixon Brown, Jr., and Martin Solomon, Jr. She is tragically predeceased by three sons: Arthur David Rivers, Jerome Clark Rivers, and Blair Park Rivers; and one grandson, Breckin Riley Muzzy. She is survived by her daughter, Grier Kivette Rivers (Kamaljit Samra), her grand-daughter,Shantell Graziano (Brian), and two great-grandchildren, Callum Arthur Graziano and Tallia Maie Graziano. Also surviving are her children and grandchildren through marriage: Gwynne Goodlett (Toby), Dixon Brown, III, Wendy Muzzy (Sean), Robin Elizabeth Solomon, Mazie Goodlett, Spears Goodlett, Broderick "Brophy" Muzzy, Caleb Brown, Matthew Stanton, and Tiger Doerner. Jan was the best of friends! There are dozens of close friends mourning her loss. She will be SO missed and cherished in the hearts and memories of many. Jan was a member of theTree of Life Synagogue in Columbia, SC. A private graveside service will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Jan was quite generous, with significant gifts to support many charities and causes. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions to the Midlands Technical College Foundation, Jan Rivers Memorial Fund, PO Box 2408, Columbia, SC 29202. Payments can also be made at midlandstech.edu, and select the "Give to MTC" button in the top right corner. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston