Leading Assembly Democrat dies from cancer

Brendan Riley

Tuesday, April 25, 2000 | 10:48 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Jan Evans, a well-known and widely respected Nevada Assembly leader who had battled cancer for nearly a year, died at her Sparks home Monday. She was 62.

Evans, a Democrat first elected to the Legislature in 1986, fell ill last May. At the time, she was speaker pro tem and the highest ranking woman in the Assembly.

"She was so dedicated to the families, children and women, for their welfare and good," said Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington. "Nobody who ever served was so devoted to the families."

"She's going to be sorely missed," added Dini. "It's a tragedy for the Assembly."

Evans announced in January that she wouldn't seek re-election this year. She also said she was recovering from ovarian cancer but figured on a long period of recovery.

"As much as I've enjoyed my eight years of appointed service and 14 years in elected office, I believe it is time to devote my full time and attention to my recovery rather than the rigors of a political campaign," she had said.

Between Nevada's every-other-year legislative sessions, Evans worked at the University of Nevada School of Medicine in Reno. After undergoing surgery last year, she had asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the school's library building fund.

Evans was honored last month for her achievements and her impact on society when she received a Women's Role Model Award. She was one of several northern Nevada women to get the honor presented by Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa.

Debbie Smith, a PTA leader and chairwoman of the state Council to Establish Academic Standards, has annnounced she'll seek the Assembly District 30 seat that Evans left - but has said, "No one can really fill Jan's shoes."

Funeral arrangements are private.