Karen Janene (Jan) Kirby born Karen Janene Wood on October 30, 1948, in Houston, Texas, died, February 4, 2014 after being stricken in her home. She was universally known as Jan. She graduated from Waltrip High School at midterm in 1967. Jan was married in the mid-seventies and kept her married surname after her divorce. She had no children. From 1988 to 1996 she lived in San Francisco, California, returning to Houston to be closer to her family. 
A woman of strong opinions forcefully expressed, she was a strong believer in personal liberty, the autonomy of women, reproductive freedom, good make up and cute shoes. She was a challenging daughter for her parents, David Gladstone Wood and Johnnie Grace (Wilson) Wood, who preceded her in death, and who treasured her inventiveness and enthusiasm. She was a natural leader who frequently led her two younger brothers, John David Wood (1950-1994) and Jerry Alan Wood, into schemes and adventures that tried the patience of their parents. She had great taste and style, and a vivacious nature that attracted and entertained all who knew her. She had recently retired after five decades of work, mostly in the printing industry. In the mid-1980s she sold men's suits at Marshall Field in the Galleria where she guided many men toward a better professional appearance. 
A natural storyteller, she was fearless about revealing highly personal details in telling anecdotes. The usual result was a room full of women howling in recognition of their common experiences and men stunned to learn what women go through. She threw herself bodily into the storytelling process, often acting out the various events in her anecdotes to make the story more vivid. Nothing was too embarrassing to share with friends if it amused and enlightened. 
Jan was passionate about animal rescue, and owned three rescued dogs, Molly, Scout and Tinker. All three dogs are being placed in new homes now. 
In addition to her brother, Jerry Wood of Houston, she is survived by her niece, Johanna Celeste Wood of Needville, Texas, cousins Barbara Joanne Smith of Shenandoah, Texas, Beverly Wood of Lakeville, Minnesota, and Phyllis Jean Propes of Fort Worth, Texas and her cousins' children.
Friends are invited to a celebration of her life from half past five o'clock until half past seven o'clock in the evening on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at the Bradshaw-Carter Home, 1734 West Alabama Street, Houston, TX 77098. As published in the Houston Chronicle on Feb 9, 2014