Obituary of Janet Marlene Petersen

Janet Marlen Petersen was born on Sept. 5, 1932 in the little town of Ferron, UT to Nephi Harold Petersen and Anna Marie Frieda Wegener. She would be the second of 4 children who spent their early years growing up on the farm. It was there Mom developed her love for animals of every sort and had real compassion for them as she was horrified by the practice of branding cattle. She would come to love countless pets over the years, with Pede (a poodle), Max (the cat), and Lily (Bichon Frise) at the top of the list. She also developed her sense of humor and love for silliness from time spent with many of her father's Danish family who loved a good laugh! She always sought out friends who shared her wit and wisdom. When she was 10 yrs. old, the family moved to Salt Lake City where she came to know more of her mother's German family and was able to understand much of what was said as her grandmother who spoke only German lived with them for a time. Here she learned to work hard and be self-sufficient, helping out with household chores and caring for her younger siblings as both parents were compelled to work. Some time after graduating from West High School in Salt Lake City, and working a variety of jobs, one of which was with the Federal Reserve, she jumped at the chance to transfer to San Francisco. It was while living there, with several other young women sharing an apartment, that she met and was courted by Robert Flinders Jefferies. She came all the way to California to meet a man from Salt Lake! They married on Dec. 14, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple, but returned to California to raise their family. She had always loved playing baby dolls as a girl, so it was not a surprise that they eventually welcomed 6 children: Elizabeth Mari, Julann Laurie, Karli, Matthew Jon, Nathan Richard, and Judy Lynn into their hearts and home. The family lived in San Francisco, Millbrae, Palo Alto, and Walnut Creek before moving in 1971 to Rancho Bernardo in N. County San Diego. She was the ultimate mother and homemaker, always striving to learn new things. She would take classes to learn the newest sewing techniques, or food preservation, or whatever she thought would help her to do her part to use the family resources wisely. She had taken a few college courses while living in San Francisco, but the children were nearly grown before she finally got back to school to study her true passion: child rearing! She had always been a voracious reader and had learned so much about human nature and relationships and worked hard to implement them in her own life and in the work she came to love- that of shaping young lives in before and after school daycare programs. She loved the kids, and they knew it, and loved her in return. She worked for the Poway Unified School District and the YMCA, and eventually served as a Director. She and Robert divorced in 1985 and she continued in her career of providing loving structure to children in need. In 1998, her two oldest daughters convinced her to leave the big old empty house and live near them in Ventura County. She lived in her own place in Westlake Village for 9 years and enjoyed doing the same work at various schools within the Conejo Valley School District. She developed many rich and satisfying friendships there. After she was diagnosed with Alzheimers, she moved in with her eldest daughter and lived there for 7 years, again bringing love, kindness, and a positive influence every single day. She moved to Belmont Village where she was able to receive more specialized care and routine in Mar. of this year, and very quickly became a favorite among residents and employees because of her ready smile and kind words. Everyone there joins in the most heartfelt sadness at losing such a delightful woman. Janet had battled several chronic diseases for many years, and early on Sun. Oct. 26, she succumbed to their combined effects on her heart. It happened very quickly and caught us all by surprise, but we feel blessed to know that she had a very happy reunion with two of her children who had preceded her in death: son Robert Flinders Jefferies, Jr. who died at birth, and Judy Lynn Jefferies who passed in 1985, and granddaughter Mehgan Tumua Porter who passed in 2012. She joins her parents and older sister Joanne Carly Hall. She is survived by twin siblings Jeri Seaver Eaves and Gerald Petersen. Also left to mourn her loss are daughters Mari (husband Aldric Porter), Julann (husband Scott Nickolaisen), and Karli (husband Rick Dittenhauser), and sons Matt and Nate Jefferies. Her grandchildren include Leah (husband Ben Tuifua), Micah (wife Brittney Langford), Bryn (husband Chris Jacobsen), Hannah, and Delaney Porter, Jamie, Seth, Caleb, Kellie, and Laurie Nickolaisen, Cory, Amanda, and Jon Dittenhauser, and Kayla Jefferies. Great-grandchildren are Kalea, Malakai, Isaiah, Elijah, and Samuel Tuifua. She left a trail of cherished friends everywhere she lived and worked. As her family, we hope to emulate her ability to make people feel loved, valued, and capable of great things. We will miss her encouragement, her warm hugs, and her oft asked question, "Did I ever tell you that I love you?" 'Until we meet again Mom; God be with us all.