BENTON — Janice Lynn Payne, who grew up on the family farm near Akin, passed away Nov. 6, 2016, at her home in Laguna Niguel, California.
She is survived by her brother, Dr. Gregory Payne, chair of Communication Studies at Emerson College in Boston. She is the daughter of Zulene York Payne and James Guy Payne, who preceded her in death.
Prior to her retirement in 1998 to care for her mother, Zulene, who suffered with dementia, Janice was director of the Los Angeles Program, a cross-cultural educational and internship program for students from the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Prior to establishing her own program, she was the founding director of the Boston University Los Angeles Program, and was the founding internship coordinator for the Emerson College Los Angeles Program. In these programs, she established long-term relationships with colleges and universities worldwide, and her leadership in this area resulted in special commendations from the city of Los Angeles, a special Alumni Award from Emerson College in Boston and achievement awards from the city of Rosarito Beach, Mexico for her work in establishing the Rosarito Film Festival, a public diplomacy project now in its 10th year which features industry professionals, alums and U.S. students working with Mexican students on storytelling and the use of social media to bridge cultures. The festival participants and professionals are from all over the world, including China, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Chile and Iceland, among others.
As a tribute to her cross-cultural work, an award in her honor, as well as an award for her mother, Zulene, is given at each Rosarito Film Festival, in the beachside Baja, California community, where she also had a condo. Complementing her passion for public diplomacy, Janice was the Advisory Board Chair of the Friends of the Emerson Majestic Theatre, which initiated the refurbishment of one of Boston’s most elegant centers for the performing arts.
Janice was an author of a book on caregiving and a vocal and persistent advocate on the challenges that dementia and Alzheimer’s present to families and friends, and an invited speaker at national and global conferences, such as the International Academy of Business Disciplines, among others. She was a great listener, advisor and confidant to her friends, family and had a distinct ability to empathize all points of view without judgment. Her brother Greg remembers Janice “as a gift of joy, caring, love and loyalty, who brightened up the lives of those she loved and who loved her from different countries, cultures, religions and all walks of life globally."
Janice enjoyed visiting her Aunt Jean Smith of Benton and her cousins and friends and BCHS alums when she returned to Southern Illinois each year for a stay at the family farm near Akin. She was a graduate of Akin Grade School and Benton High School, and, after completing her computer degree, took classes and conducted workshops at Emerson College in Boston and Los Angeles and Blanquerna School of Communication in Barcelona, Spain.
Known for her zest for life and love of family, Janice’s outlook on life is best epitomized to those who loved her by her infectious smile and multicolored hair. Celebrations of Janice’s life will be conducted in Rosarito, Boston, St. Louis and Barcelona, as well as Benton, in the spring of 2017. The Janice Payne Spirit Award is now established at Emerson College to support students interested in global communication projects that bridge cultures. Contributions should be sent in her name to Communication Studies, 120 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02111.
