Janice Stephens Hagen

Janice Stephens Hagen: A Pillar of Community and Advocate for Girls' Athletics

Janice Stephens Hagen, age 90, of Middletown, RI, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2024. Born on June 1, 1933, in Arkansas City, Kansas, to Harley and Cecilia Stephens, Jan was an only child but filled her life with the joy of extensive family, community service, and athletics.

Jan leaves behind a loving family: sons John Hagen (and deceased daughter-in-law Dorothy) of Martha's Vineyard, MA, Jim Hagen and his former wife Jessica of Newport, RI; daughter and son-in-law, Jenny and Eric Maine of Newport, RI; and cherished grandchildren, Harley, Jack and daughter-in-law Maggie Wedholm, Garrett, Hannah, Whitney, and Parker Hagen.

Her academic journey took her from Northrop Collegiate School in Minneapolis, MN, and Mount Holyoke College, MA, to a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Minnesota in 1955. Alongside her husband, Richard Hagen, Jan raised three children in Edina, MN, imbuing them with her values of service and community.

Jan's passion for social work and community service was evident from her teenage years. Her diverse volunteer roles included camp counselor for underprivileged kids, volunteer worker for the Edward Waite Neighborhood House, numerous committees and chairs within the Junior League of Minneapolis spanning roughly 35 years, Cub Scout Leader, PTA member, docent at the Minneapolis Art Institute, the Minnesota Historical Society Museum, and the Minneapolis Libraries Planetarium where she occasionally would sneak her children in for after-hour star gazing.

One of Jan's most significant and enduring contributions was her visionary role in founding the Edina Girls Athletic Association (EGAA) in the mid-seventies. Recognizing a stark gap in sports opportunities for girls, Jan spearheaded this initiative with a passion that reflected her deep belief in the power of sports to foster teamwork, confidence, and health. Serving as the first President and various leadership roles for ten years, Jan witnessed the EGAA blossomed into a vibrant organization that not only provided countless young girls with their first opportunity to engage in team sports but also played a pivotal role in advocating for gender equality in athletics. Jan's efforts extended beyond the playing fields; she was appointed to a Hennepin County Task Force to study and improve the sporting needs of girls throughout the county. Her recommendations to the United Way and local governments led to increased funding and support for girls' sports programs, laying the groundwork for future generations to thrive in athletics. Jan's presidency of the University Hospitals Volunteer Association, her dynamic roles in national volunteerism conferences, and her impactful service on numerous non-profit boards, including the Edina Chapter of the ABC Foundation and The Blake School's Alumni Board, exemplify her multifaceted commitment to volunteerism. Jan's dedication was honored in 1981 when she received the Mayor's Award for community service in Edina.

Jan's professional career was as varied as her volunteer work, including significant roles at the Minneapolis Downtown YWCA, the United Way, and retail positions at Gucci and Marshall Fields, where her talents earned her Employee of the Year in 2000.

Jan was quite the athlete in her day and in her adult years she started Water Workouts, Inc. teaching water aerobics classes for many years at her home in Edina and at various clubs, condos and private pools. Jan was also a very talented tennis player. At 45, she was ranked tenth in the State of Minnesota. Years later, Jan won a state tournament qualifying her for the Senior Olympics. Her love for sports was matched by her commitment to community service, even in retirement in New Jersey and later Rhode Island, where she continued to engage in local activities and clubs.

Jan's legacy is a testament to a life well-lived, filled with love, service, and community.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to The Edina Girls Athletic Association, 4801 West 50th Street, Edina, MN ATT: Mandee Page or to The Blake School, Advancement Office, 110 Blake Road South, Hopkins, MN 55343 or Online gifts at: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/28490/donations/new to honor Jan's memory.


 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janice Stephens Hagen, please visit our floral store.