Norman, OK - Janice Emily Mann, 76, of Norman, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, May 15th, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Mann was born Jan. 2nd, 1949, in Evanston, Indiana to Vera Martin Mitchell and W.E. "Glenn" Mitchell. The family resided in Smithland, Kentucky for several years, then moved to Oklahoma City, where Jan attended school, graduating from Northeast Classen High School in 1967.

She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in home economics from Central State University (now the University of Central Oklahoma), where she honed her exceptional baking skills. She worked for a number of restaurants, including Norman's iconic La Baguette Bakery, and later went on to travel around the country as a restaurant consultant for several chains. In the later part of her career, she spent several years as part of the University of Oklahoma's food services team, specializing in desserts.

Recognized for her many signature creations - especially her famed cupcakes -- Mann was known far and wide in Norman and the broader metro area and loved nothing more than taking sweet treats to her countless friends, family and others. It was always a good day for everyone when Jan came to visit!

On Valentine's Day 2000, she married the love of her life, Nathan Mann, and the two established a home near Lake Thunderbird, where she continued to bake the treats which made her famous around the metro area.

Often Jan would be accompanied by her beloved grandchildren, who vividly remember trips to the Oklahoma City Zoo, as well as making the "rounds" with her while Mann dropped off her creations. She attended their school events and activities faithfully, once even producing 400 cupcakes for a single occasion.

Through her restaurant and baking experience, Mann had a huge network of friends from every walk of life. She was one of those rare people who would stop at nothing to help those around her, whatever the need. Her direct sense of humor and occasionally gruff exterior could not disguise the incredibly soft heart underneath. Her love of helping others was there from a very young age, when she would bake and send homemade treats to American soldiers serving in the Vietnam War.

In recent years she even formed a unique friendship with a wild golden eagle, who would fly over her house regularly and eat Skittles that she would put out in a special dish.

Mann is survived by her devoted family, including husband, Nate; son Thomas Casey; and grandchildren Riley Ellison, Payton Pepperman, Addy Pepperman, Sadie Casey, Alex Casey and Tristan Casey. She was preceded in death by her parents, son John Casey and daughter Amy Casey Pepperman.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made to its GoFundMe account to cover Mann's final expenses, at https://gofund.me/d57a77aa.