Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
JANET RAYE FINN
1941 - 2015
JANET RAYE FINN
1941 - 2015
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1941
DIED
2015
JANET FINN Obituary
The family of beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, shares news of JANET RAYE FINN'S death on Oct. 5th, 2015. Jan suffered a brain hemorrhage, before passing peacefully in the company of her husband of 53 years, Tom, and five children, Mike, Tom, John, Patrick and Maureen Cougnet. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren. Born in Chicago, Tom and Jan relocated in '73 and have resided at their City of Orange address for 41 years. Jan operated several private businesses, including a day care center and dress boutique. She found her calling as a human resource specialist at Anaheim Stadium, until she assumed similar responsibilities at Outdoor Dimensions, an Anaheim signage company. She retired in 2001, after suffering brain aneurysms that left her unable to walk. Services for Janet Finn will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park in Santa Ana at 2:30 PM Friday, October 23rd. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at The Woman's Club of Orange at 121 S. Center St., Orange 92866. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to CHOC Hospital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
D Robinson
June 27, 2025
Watching Match Game, sometimes you wonder what happened to some of the contestants. Some of them seem like very special people. Janet seemed like she had a plan for her life and for that money. I hope she lived an exciting life and had a loving family
tommy joyce
May 18, 2025
My favorite contestant on Match Game. She had the greatest answer to Gene's question "what are you going to do with all that money?". "I can have another kid!" I hope her family reads all the love that is poured out to her.
April B
January 7, 2025
One of my favorite things to do is watch reruns of Match Game! It reminds me of childhood hanging out with my mom.
I always love when Janet's episodes air because she's so endearing! I'm so glad to hear that she had such a wonderful and successful life with her family.
It's been 10 years since her passing, but I'm sure there's a lot of us still thinking and praying for her and her family!
Thank you for all the wonderful MG memories!!
Jerry Harris
December 17, 2024
Also seeing Janet on Match Game re-runs and wish there were more people like her these days. Note: She didn´t have additional children
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Dori L
December 9, 2024
I hope someone still checks this occasionally. I just watched the episodes of match game that Janet was on. My gosh, I have to say she was the most genuine and fun person to watch on that show. She seemed so sweet and so truly joyful over her winnings with all those children I´m sure the money was put to good use. God bless you and your family and I am sorry for your loss.
Ken
December 9, 2024
Janet was the sweetest woman I´ve ever seen. I would liked to have known her.
Stephanie Haugen
December 9, 2024
One of my most favorite people on Match Game...I love when she said " boys, is my husband going to be good to me!"
She is a delight, she reminds me of myself, punky yet reserved. I hope she is the best heavenly angel _____!
Rita Walker
December 6, 2024
Watching Match Game today. Janet was on this episode. Such a lovely and vibrant lady. RIP
Alex D.
October 2, 2024
Your mother was a great contestant on Match Game 74, winning $18,450. I hope she was just as great as a mother as she was a contestant on the show. :)
I hope she's resting in peace, knowing that her memories live on for all those who watch Match Game.
Jim
January 24, 2024
I'm so glad that Janet lived a good long life.
She has made a ton of people smile over and over again.
Derek
August 11, 2023
Janet Finn in my opinion was the cutest and most charming contestant on Match game ever. Her coyness, smile and ebullience will charm even the most dour personality. She was the highlight of match game and her passing away is a loss for all those who loved watching her again and again.
Rest in peace Janet you were one of God's angels on Earth.
Mark McGee
May 30, 2023
Always a pleasure to watch this amazing lady on Match Game. Her pure joy, love, and enthusiasm radiated from her like a beacon! Every time MG is on BUZZR, if she's on, I'm watching! Continued peaceful rest, Janet.
Nancy
May 29, 2023
Your Mother, Janet was a delight to watch on the reruns of Match Game
J Klein jr
February 21, 2023
Another person that was struck by Janet during her appearances on Match Game. It really says alot that people take time out of their day to acknowledge someone they only know through her appearances on a TV game show. I hope her family reads these occasionally so the know what a nice lady she was. RIP your .e.ory will live on forever thanks to t. Reruns
Tom
February 21, 2023
Watching Match Game on BUZZR.
Janet was the best!
Her $18k winning in 1974 is equal to over $100k in todays value.
She seemed like an amazing lady.
Sorry to read of her passing in 2015.
Rip
J Karman
February 16, 2023
Janet, I've seen you repeatedly on Match Game throughout these past two months. You were so cute, I really came to like you and your sense of humor. I can tell you were a dear soul.
David E Armitage
February 5, 2023
Another match game viewer here. I am so sorry to hear of Janet´s passing. She had the most beautiful smile and what a tremendous personality. Wishing the family strength. Janet touched so many people . Rest in Peace Janet.
Annie Brenton
October 31, 2022
R.I.P..
Sheila
September 30, 2022
Great contestant on Match Game in 1974. You were very well liked in the show.
Lisa Brodsky
August 14, 2022
It says a lot about what a wonderful person Janet was that, month after month, people who see her on Match Game go on line looking for her and find the sad news of her passing and have to express our grief. She was completely adorable. Gene loved her, the celebrities loved her, and those of us watching at home almost 50 years later still love her. She was an amazing woman, and I'm sorry to hear of her passing.
Diane
August 11, 2022
As I sit her and watch her on Match Game I am so happy I have never seen such a wonderful Woman Wife and Mother. She was such a Beautiful Soul. I think it´s wonderful that all of us Match Game fans got together to say Good-Bye is a exceptional person.
My deepest condolences and know she touched a lot of lives and still is all these yrs later. God Bless. Rest In Peace Janet.
Denver Murray
July 14, 2022
I am also another Match Game Fan. They were just showing Janet's winning streak episodes on the Match Game Facebook page. To all of her children, your mom was amazing, talking about what she was going to do with the money, to help the kids, etc. Then to read that she operated a day care center for years, that's just a heart of gold. My thoughts and prayers are with you and her husband and the entire family. Rest in peace, Janet!
Stephen Heidemann
May 16, 2022
I am another Match Game fan here to offer belated condolences to Ms. Finn's family. While I've only been watching the show for a couple of years (since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, which forced me to start working from home) and am nowhere close to having seen them all, the episodes in which Ms. Finn appeared are clearly the most entertaining so far. I don't think there's ever been a more charming, humble, and deserving game show contestant and I'm just so happy for her success (almost fifty years later). In fact, some of her genuine reactions after a couple of her wins (Russian Roulette !!) very nearly brought tears to my eyes. RIP
Sue Wakamoto-Lee
December 29, 2021
I, too, watched Janet on Match Game. She was delightful. As a native of Orange County, I was pleased that she resided there. Know that she brought smiles to complete strangers.
Mark Bruno
August 14, 2021
Just finished watching Matchgame `74, episode #281. Janet left with $18,450! Janet was the most happy contestant my wife and I have ever seen on Matchgame!
Pat Marvin
July 28, 2021
I got acquainted with you watching you on March Game. He were such a delight to watch. I look it all up and watch it every now & then. You left us way to soon. My deepest condolences to your family and friends.
Rita Zorba
July 21, 2021
It´s July 2021 & I am watching Old Match Game shows. And was so taken with Janet& sorry she didn´t make it to a very old age. She was such a delightful person. My condolences to the family even though it´s a little late in coming. I would have loved to have known her!!
Vicki Phillips
April 12, 2021
I happen to just be watching Match Game 74 which I watch everyday. Janet Finn is absolutely adorable. I decided to look her up. I am heartbroken to see that Janet passed away and had trouble before this too. I know this happened 6 years ago but please accept my deepest sympathies for your Family. There is no time limit on grieving so I will pray for you all. May God Bless I had never met Janet but had to select something so I selected acquaintance
March 21, 2021
I saw her on the match game just a few minutes ago..she was a very delightful lady,full of life and a very caring person
Erika
February 10, 2021
I enjoyed watching her on the match game. She was a joy!
Mary Smith
July 24, 2019
Still enjoy watching the reruns of Match Game! Everybody who watches her time on this show, and her big win with Charles Nelson Reilly gets such a kick out of her little dance and raising her arms above her head. Thank you for bringing a smile to so many who enjoy watching a part of such a fun little part of your life!
Sunny Erickson
October 21, 2015
When a close friend unexpectedly leaves us, a piece of our heart is forever broken. -- Chris Lumpkin
Yesterday my dear friend Jan Finn passed. She was like a sister to me and the times we shared will always be in my memory...hard work, fun, laughter, sadness, loyalty, our kids, grandkids, holiday dinners and just talking for hours. Jan you will be missed, not just by me, but by everyone who was lucky enough to know you. What a force you were..I know you are now dancing in heaven able to raise your arms and sing at the top of your lungs..seeing all those who have gone before you. Love to you, dear friend..You will not be forgotten....Sunny
Barbara Kamphefner
October 20, 2015
Janet was a kind, fun loving lady who will be missed by her many friends.
Showing 1 - 33 of 33 results
1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Make a Donation
in JANET FINN's name
How to support JANET's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor JANET FINN's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
