Jan Harelson, who was pivotal in the creation of Arizona Highways' photo-workshop branch 30 years ago, died Friday night following complications during heart surgery. She was 78. The staff of Arizona Highways extends its deepest condolences to the Harelson family.
Jan Harelson, the widow of longtime Arizona Highways Publisher Hugh Harelson, visited our office just a few months ago. We interviewed her for a story in our September issue, on newsstands now, about the 30th anniversary of Friends of Arizona Highways, now known as Arizona Highways Photo Workshops.
"Friends of Arizona Highways came from an idea Jan shared with Hugh," our current publisher, Win Holden, said in an email to the Arizona Highways staff. "And it was her energy and perseverance that made the organization come to life 30 years ago. Jan also lent her name and spirit to many other causes, and with her passing, Arizona has lost a treasured friend and advocate."
The Harelsons' sons, Matt and Scott, said in an emailed statement that Jan suffered "unexpected and serious complications" during her surgery.
"We will circle the wagons and hold her grandchildren tightly that she so loved very, very much, and begin the long healing process," Matt and Scott Harelson said, adding that "both of us take great comfort in knowing that our mother lived a fulfilling and purposeful life."
Jan Harelson's other great passion was her alma mater, the University of Arizona. As the Arizona Daily Star reports, she was a longtime benefactor of the UA School of Journalism. She graduated from UA's journalism department and later was instrumental in turning it into a journalism school. She also helped create the school's computer lab, the Hugh Harelson Reporting Laboratory, through an endowment.
She is survived by her sons, her sister and her five grandchildren. Plans for a memorial service in Phoenix are in the works, but details have not yet been finalized. We'll pass along details of any public event as we receive them.
Photo: Hugh and Jan Harelson | Arizona Highways Archives