Garnetta Finnegan

1935 - 2016

GARNETTA FINNEGAN Chico artist Garnetta Finnegan, daughter of Imohi Brown and Fred Clarence Brown of Chico, passed away the morn-ing of November 23, 2016. She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Sammie Finnegan, as well as her two sisters (Helen Bellaver of San Jose, California, and Betty Pedro of Redding, CA), two daughters (Lynette Finnegan Stagnaro of Chico, CA, and Maria Finnegan of Ukiah, CA), seven grandchildren, and four great grand-children. Garnetta is pre-deceased by her son David Roc Finnegan. Born Garnetta Brown, in Illinois in 1935, Garnetta was an artist from a young age. Encouraged by her mother who was also an artist, she began by drawing animals as a child on the farm in Illinois. When the family moved to Chico, she received her first formal instruction in art in high school. She married at age 18, and with the loving support of her husband, continued stud-ying art and painting as she raised their three children. As they moved throughout California, Sammie built her three art studios: in San Diego, Placerville, and event-ually Chico. In the early 1980's, Garnetta re-turned to college, grad-uating with honors and her Associate of Arts degree from Chabot College in Hayward, CA. Her art has been shown in galleries, restaurants, and other public venues throughout California for the last 40 years; she is well known for her oil paintings and etchings. In addition to teaching art to all of her grand-children, she worked for the El Dorado Arts Bank in Placerville teaching art in the elementary schools. For this work, she received a Best Teacher Award. In Chico, she was involved with the Chico Art Center. She taught printmaking and continued painting oils and creating new etchings. In addition to her involvement with the art community, she was also a Christian Scientist who was actively involved with her church throughout her life. She loved flowers and would often provide flower arrangements for Sun-day services. Garnetta will be remembered for her talent, her warmth, her loving kindness, and her passion and commit-ment to her family, art, and faith. There will be no services held, in honor of her wishes.