By the family

May 24, 2023: Janet “Jan” Rohan passed away in her home on Hilton Head Island, SC on May 15, 2023.  She was 87 years old.  Jan will be remembered for her strength, courage, charisma, radiance, and love of life!

Jan was born on August 29, 1935, in Keene, New Hampshire to her parents Laura Marcoux and William S. Black.  Jan and her father were a phenomenal dance team in “off-Broadway” shows in Boston. 

She graduated pre-med from Newton College of the Sacred Heart which later merged with Boston College.  She aspired to become a doctor however she became a schoolteacher for one year and spent the rest of her life raising her children and volunteering in the community.  She was brilliant in math and science and excelled as a musician and singer, playing the banjo, piano, and drums. The NY Metropolitan Opera even tried to recruit her!  She was an active member of the musical group “The Song Pipers” who spread joy to many by singing at local schools, events and nursing homes.

She married Patrick J. Rohan in 1958 and they lived in Huntington, Long Island until they moved to Bronxville, NY in 1965.  Patrick taught at St. John’s University Law School and Columbia University Law School until he became the Dean of St John’s Law School.  Jan raised her eight children in Bronxville and was very active in the schools and the local community.  She was an avid golfer, tennis player, singer, and skier.  She enjoyed vacationing in Cape Cod and the Berkshires. She and Patrick also traveled extensively around the world. 

While raising her family, she attended the NY School of Interior Design and obtained her master’s degree in interior decorating.  She also dabbled in Real Estate – mostly buying and selling her own houses!

In 1994, Jan moved with her youngest daughter, Kaitlin to Hilton Head, SC.  Once again, she established herself as a leader in the school system and was known and loved by all. She volunteered at the St. Francis Catholic Church and Thrift Shop. She played on golf and tennis teams at the Hilton Head Country Club and enjoyed traveling the globe with her lifelong best friend – Carol Regenauer. 

After the passing of Patrick Rohan in 2009, Jan married Jim McKillop (also known as GJ) in 2014.  They were joyously married for 5 years until Jim passed away in 2019. 

In 2021, Jan reconnected with Justin Karl (Judd) who also hailed from Bronxville.  They were married the same year. They enjoyed playing trivia together and spending time with friends on the island.

Jan is survived by her husband, Justin Karl, and her children: Lauri Griffin of Connecticut, Terry Keebaugh (Karl) of Georgia, Patrick Rohan of New York, Janet Rohan (Neil) of New Jersey, Amy Rohan of Pennsylvania, Courtney Rockett (Paco) of New York, William Rohan of New York, Kaitlin Gavin (Sean) of Georgia, 20 grandchildren and 2 adopted grandchildren - all of whom she adored. She is predeceased by her precious granddaughter, Emily Griffin.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at Tide Pointe in Hilton Head on Monday, May 22^nd at 12 pm.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 2nd at 11am at St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in New Fairfield, CT followed by a funeral procession to the Wooster Cemetery in Danbury, CT for the interment. A celebration of life to follow.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in her name to St Jude, The American Cancer Society, or the Hilton Head Humane Association.