Laguna Niguel, California - Longtime Laguna Beach resident Jana Ruzicka died on January 30, 2025 at the age of 90. Jana was born in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia in 1934. She earned a degree in Landscape Architecture from Charles University where she met her husband George in the University's climbing club. Following the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, George migrated to the United States, followed soon after by Jana and their young daughter Hana. After a short period in West Los Angeles, they settled in Laguna Beach in 1973.

Jana began her career as a landscape architect in Czechoslovakia, where she worked mostly with native plant communities. Following a period of employment at a major development corporation in Orange County, Jana began her own landscape architectural office based on her principles. Jana treasured Southern California's natural beauty and designed gardens and outdoor spaces that complemented the native landscape. She regularly explored the many beautiful canyons in Orange County and read extensively about California's lands and history. Jana shared her feelings about the natural world through her writings, especially her annual holiday cards. She was especially interested in sharing her ideas and books with her loving grandchildren, Emmi and Jack. Jana also advocated for the preservation of Laguna's green space and its beautiful oak trees.

Jana loved adventures in faraway places and often brought her daughter Hana with her. Hana has special memories of camping with Jana on Hawaii's Big Island as a little girl and hiking with Jana and Jana's son-in-law Steve in Czech Paradise among the sandstone spires that Jana so loved to climb in her youth.

In Laguna Beach Jana lived among wonderful neighbors, and as she grew older Jana was lucky to be surrounded by so many caring people who enriched her life and became like family to her. And her loving dog Chicodidito was always by her side.