Col. Janice Mano Lehman
By Staff
Northwest Asian Weekly
Col. Janice Mano Lehman passed away on the morning of March 11 after a nine-year battle with lung cancer. She was 48.
Mano Lehman grew up in Seattle and attended Renton High School, graduating in 1982. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Washington State University, where she also earned an Army ROTC scholarship. She was commissioned by the U.S. Army in 1986.
Mano Lehman earned her master’s degree in nursing in 1999 from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. She is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
Mano Lehman recently worked at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma.
She served in various positions at Madigan, including that of hospital bed manager, chief of ambulatory care nursing, and chief of clinical nursing services.
Her military education included the Combined Arms Staff Services School, Medical Effects of Nuclear Weapons Course, and U.S Army Airborne School.
In her 24-year career in the Army, her awards and recognitions included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Parachutist Badge.
While with the Army, Mano Lehman visited South Korea, Honduras, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, the Bay Islands, and Costa Rica.
Mano Lehman was honored as a Woman of Color Empowered at a Northwest Asian Weekly luncheon held on May 13, 2011.
At the event, she spoke of the physical struggles she had endured due to her career. Standing at only five feet, Mano talked about how she toughed it out among her peers, many of whom were men.
“My advice to other female Asian Americans who wish to pursue a military career is to have the passion of taking care of military service members, veterans, retirees, and their families,” Mano Lehman said in 2011, in a story for the Nisei Veterans Committee newsletter.
“Stay fit and healthy because it’s tough to take care of others when you are not well. Never expect that you’re entitled to any special treatment.
“The Army is a fair organization, regardless of gender or race. You have to be dedicated in what you do every day and always strive to do better. I can’t think of many organizations that hold you to a physical fitness standard, which has served me well over the years.”
Mano Lehman is survived by her parents, Tosh and Tomi Mano; her husband, Col. Robert Lehman; siblings Karen Mano Little, Jim Mano, Kathy Mano Leonard, and Rick Mano; nephews and nieces Brendan, Jamie, Jalen, Audrey, Garrett, Shea, Nathan, and Matthew; and family members Jim Lehman, Danielle Lehman, and Elizabeth Matthews.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 22, at 10 a.m. at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church, 3001 24th Ave. S. in Seattle.
A private inurnment for family and close friends will be held on Friday, March 23, at 11 a.m. at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. (end)
The Col. Janice Mano Lehman Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to benefit aspiring nursing students who demonstrate a passion to lead and serve their country.
Contributions can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank or mailed to Wells Fargo Bank, 1500 Black Lake Blvd. S.W. Olympia, WA 98502.