Janden Richards

Janden Richards, an exceptionally talented and remarkably kind, wife, mother, grandmother, rescue mom to dogs and cats passed away unexpectedly in Mobile, Alabama on April 20, 2022 at the age of 75. Janden was endlessly creative and lived her life never allowing herself to be satisfied with just what was expected and never permitting herself to being defined by others. Janden said “design is a process, life is an experiment” and fittingly, her professional careers as artist, designer, corporate director, and educator spanned over fifty years. She was an inspiration to her family, a source of patient encouragement and thoughtful insight to many, unflinching and nonjudgmental in support of those she loved. Janden  is sorely missed by her son Christopher Hogan, daughter-in-law Kristen, grandchildren Myers and Sophie, her cat Puffy, as well as everyone who knew and loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Dennis and Janet (Doner) Myers and her husband Richard “Bill” Richards of 30 years. She is survived by her son and his family, her sister Dennette Beluch, her niece Natasha Lupus and family.

Janden was born on September 12, 1946 and grew up in Red Lion, Pennsylvania prior to graduating from Penn State University. After completing a Masters in Fine Art degree from Hunter College of the City University of New York in 1974, she began teaching color theory at Pratt Institute in New York City.

Janden soon began a product design career and was selected as Director of Art & Design Development at Binney and Smith, maker of Crayola crayons, from 1979 to 1994. There, during an exciting and innovative time for the company, she established a twelve person creative department that produced new products, packaging, promotions for multiple brands including Crayola, Silly Putty, and Model Magic. “Colorful” experiences during her work as director included being interviewed on national television including ABC’s “Good Morning America” and CBS’s “This Morning” for what was considered at that time to be a controversial retirement of several uninspired Crayola colors and the introduction of new exciting updated colors. As a corporate director for Crayola, Janden was featured in a video with Bill Nye “the Science Guy” on one of her favorite topics, the science of color.

After retiring from Crayola, she partnered with a regional specialty foods business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for a few years. Simultaneously, Janden returned to academia, as an Adjunct Instructor of Graphic Design at several nearby universities including the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design.

In 1999, Janden came to the Gulf Coast to be closer to her family and at a perfect time to become a founding member of the Graphic Design Major at Spring Hill College in 2000. Until her death, she held the position of Associate Professor. Spring Hill College has recently been given a grant to fund the Janden Richards Center for Community Collaboration that will focus on student support of nonprofit organization graphic design needs throughout the community. Janden said “For me, art has always been about using my skills to make a difference.”

Janden was known for her love of rescue pets, spending time with her grandchildren, walks with her golden retriever, petting her orange tabbies, tricycles, British television, parades, art museums, trips to New York City, old movies, shells, flowers, the color purple, and Jazz music on Sunday afternoons. She was famous for her discerning eye and artistic insight. She would often identify something worthy of interest, share a distinctive feature, and give value to seemingly the most unremarkable object. Janden could find you a gift that you never knew existed but immediately wondered how you ever went without it. Already, we find ourselves lost without Janden, painfully absent of her kind and unwavering support.

Janden said she was “old in years, young at heart” and was teaching her Introduction to Digital Design and Graphic Design II college classes up until the day she died. Janden, your family is immensely proud of you and we will love you forever.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to “The Janden Richards Center for Community Collaboration” at Spring Hill College.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, served the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com