Janet Wagenseller Obituary

February 11, 1938 - February 7, 2014 Helen Janet Triplett Wagenseller, a resident of Brentwood for over 50 years, passed away on February 7, 2014. She was 75. Janet was born February 11, 1938 in Kansas City, Missouri. She was the middle child of James Smiley Triplett, Jr., a cattle rancher, and his wife, Helen Lucille Pearson Triplett. Janet attended Amarillo High School, Southern Methodist University and, for her last year of college, UCLA. She was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and stayed involved as a Theta for her entire life. After college she became a buyer for Bullock's Department Store and later worked for a real estate investor in Santa Monica. In 1963, Janet married Sherman F. Wagenseller and they had three sons together. Sherman and Janet raised their kids on Old Ranch Road in Sullivan Canyon. In addition to raising her children, Janet was active in a variety of charities. She served as President of the Brentwood School Parents' Association and sat on the Board of Trustees. In addition to chairing the Assistance League's "Afternoon with Eve" fundraiser on two occasions, she became the President of their auxiliary group, The Mannequins. She worked tirelessly for the ARCS Foundation, which offers scholarships to exceptional college science students. She served on the Board of Directors of The Group, a support group for Parson's School of Design. For many years she was active with Las Floristas (and modeled a headdress in their Headdress Ball). She also volunteered with the Colleagues and Les Amies in support of Children's Institute, Inc. She was always very active and a hard worker for the charities she was involved with. Janet led a life of service. When she was not carpooling children or organizing charity events, Janet was an avid athlete. She played golf with the women's club at Los Angeles Country Club, later at Birnam Wood Golf Club in Montecito and, as she got older, at what she and her friends jokingly called "Penmar By The Sea". She enjoyed paddle tennis with her friends and family at the Bel Air Bay Club, where she and Sherman were members throughout their marriage. Janet loved playing bridge, being part of her book club and spending time with her friends in their theater group. Janet was a lifelong member of Bel Air Presbyterian Church. Janet lived life with optimism and a sense of humor. She had a fun-loving spirit, loved her friends and cherished her family. Her good humor and sweet spirit will remain in the memories of all those who loved her. Janet is survived by her three sons: Ward F. Wagenseller, Laine T. Wagenseller and Scott D. Wagenseller; two of her three stepchildren: Sharman W. Knox and Trent B. Wagenseller; her sister Ann Triplett Chappel; her brother Jay Triplett; and twelve grandchildren. Her husband Sherman passed away in July of 2013. The family suggests that instead of flowers donations be made to one of the charities above.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Feb. 19, 2014.
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