The Janice D. Steenblik Memorial Foundation has multiple initiatives all with the goal of commemorating her life and passions: Education, Family, and Exploring the world and it's beauty.

Mission: The Janice D. Steenblik Memorial Foundation honors the legacy of Janice D. Steenblik by advancing her core values of education, family connection, and appreciation for the world's beauty. We accomplish this through strategic initiatives including academic fellowships, educational development projects, and sustainable design services that enhance communities globally. Through the phi Innovation Foundation φ and other programs, we support scholars, educators, and innovators who embody Janice's commitment to learning, compassion, and creating positive change. Our work spans from supporting individual academic pursuits to developing educational infrastructure in underserved communities, all guided by Janice's enduring belief in the transformative power of education.

Her Story

JDS Memorial Fellowship

The Janice D. Steenblik Memorial Fellowship empowers passionate scholars, educators, and innovators who embody the values that Janice cherished throughout her life: a commitment to education, the strengthening of family bonds, and an appreciation for the beauty of our world.

All Projects

phi Innovation φ

phi Innovation φ operates as a specialized initiative under the umbrella of the Janice D. Steenblik Memorial Foundation (JDSMF), embodying Janice's values through the transformative power of thoughtful design and community engagement. As the design and built environment arm of JDSMF, we translate Janice's commitment to education, family connection, and appreciating the world's beauty into tangible spaces and places that enhance human experience.

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Janice D. Steenblik

Janice D. Steenblik was born in 1951 in Salt Lake City, Utah to W. Virgil and Vera Y. Dick. As a child, she formed a close bond with her brother Terry, who was just 11 months younger than her. Their sibling relationship would become foundational to both their lives, as they navigated childhood adventures and challenges together.

The Dick family lived on a farm in Missouri from approximately 1954 to 1957, where Janice and Terry would gather eggs from chickens, ride on the fenders of their cousin's tractor, and take baths in galvanized tubs on the porch. These early rural experiences helped shape Janice's appreciation for simple living and close family connections…

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  • "Janice you have loved my children unconditionally, more than any other friend has loved them.' Truly Janice suffered the little children to come to her."

    A life long friend

  • "I still remember her kind words, 'Remember you are important and you know it.'"

    From a student named Claudia Juarez

  • "I remember when you were really sick but you were always smiling no matter what."

    From a student named Ruby

  • "Your smile and influence and childhood-encouragement, faith and love for me, will live forever in my heart and the teaching and love you have given to your children will be remembered and passed on for generations yet to come."

    Her Brother Terry

  • "You were my Very best friend growing up and there were times in my life, I think you were my Only friend. I always loved and admired you and counted on the never-ending support and encouragement that came so freely from you (and to everyone else around you)."

    Her Brother Terry