Broncos extend their condolences to the Elway family on the March 4 passing of John's mother, Janet

[Miles]

The Broncos extend their sincere condolences to the Elway family on the passing of John's mother, Janet, on March 4 at the age of 82 in Palm Desert, Calif., following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Please see below for a remembrance of the life of Janet Jordan Elway prepared by the Elway family:


Janet Jordan Elway, our beloved Mother and "Mimi," passed away on March 4, 2020, at the age of 82.


She was born on the 18th of March 1937 to Harry and Marie Jordan. Janet was raised in Hoquiam, Washington, where she met and married John Albert Elway, "Jack", in 1958 because "he was so much fun!" Soon after, the pair moved, for their first of many times, to Port Angeles, Washington. Port Angeles is where Jack's coaching career began and the two started their family. During their four years in Port Angeles, Janet had three children: Lee Ann, and twins John and Jana.


Jan supported Jack in 10 different cities across his coaching career; Port Angeles, WA; Aberdeen, WA; Missoula, MT; Pullman, WA; Northridge, CA; San Jose, CA; Menlo Park, CA; Milan, Italy; Frankfurt, Germany; and Denver, CO. She remembered Missoula most fondly because she and Jack loved to go out, have drinks and dance to live music all night. Jan and Jack moved to Palm Desert, CA where the pair planned to retire together. After Jack's passing, Jan stayed in Palm Desert and met her second half of life partner, Richard Terrell.


Jan was the rock of our family. As a coach's wife she was fiercely independent. Early in Jack's career, Jan provided for the family both inside and outside of the home as a working woman and mother. Throughout her life she was often heard saying "I can do it myself!" and she did, all with perfect hair and make-up! She began the legacy of Elways being tough, strong and enduringly hardworking.