Janet Marcia Wennergren Frisbie

Janet Marcia Wennergren Frisbie, 80, originally from Manchester, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on September 9th at her home in San Francisco surrounded by family. She lived an exceptionally full life and will be remembered for her generosity, perseverance and steadfast devotion to family and close friends.

Janet was born on October 31, 1944, the daughter of the late Margaret Elizabeth Atkinson Wennergren and Charles Ludwig Wennergren. She graduated from Manchester High School in 1962, then joined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft where she met Frederick Richard Frisbie, her husband of 57 years. They were married in Manchester's South Methodist Church in 1968. Janet was, and will always be, the love of Richard's life. She was the extraordinary mother to Hilary Erin Atkins Frisbie and Cara Marie Wennergren Frisbie and adoring grandmother of Charles Frisbie Daniel and Grace Wennergren Daniel. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Paul Daniel, her sisters, Connie Tees and Charlene "Teo" Althaus, her nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends.

Janet devoted her life to her family, mostly her daughters, but also her husband and beloved kitty and puppy friends. She created a secure and loving home for her family filled with laughter, celebrations and too many beautiful memories to recount. She also demonstrated the value of hard work and perseverance to her daughters by obtaining her degree with honors from the University of Houston while being a full time Mom to Hilary and Cara and Chief Operating Officer of the Frisbie household. Throughout the years, Janet packed thousands of school lunches, prepared even more breakfasts and dinners, drove hundreds of miles to and from schools and activities, delivered dozens of boxes of Girls Scout cookies, and attended countless dance recitals, speech tournaments and school events. But her love showed up in the smaller gestures as well: the watermelon-and-chocolate chip summer popsicles that we loved, the special pumpkin mugs pulled out for hot chocolate only in October, the handmade Halloween costumes, surprise trips to Baskin Robbins, and acceptance of the myriad small pets that her daughters loved (but she cared for). She created special holiday traditions that lasted decades - we ice skated every Christmas eve, attended the Nutcracker ballet every year, and developed a family obsession with nutcrackers. Mostly importantly, Janet provided enduring love and support over a lifetime that bound the Frisbie family together.

Later Janet became the beloved Grammy to Charlie and Grace, playing games with them on endless repeat, reading them stories, baking and crafting with, and for, them and making them smile and laugh. When given the option to go anywhere in the world, Charlie and Grace would both choose San Francisco to see Grammy and Grampy.

Outside of family, Janet found great joy in genealogy, travel and community involvement. She researched her family's history back through generations and across continents, incorporating memorable stops on family vacations to New York, Ireland and Sweden to bring the family history to life. Over her years, Janet traveled to many dozens of countries on all of the continents except Antarctica. A perpetual learner, she sought opportunities to learn about the history and culture of the places she visited. Her family was always invited to share these special experiences. Janet was also involved in various local organizations and grassroots efforts in both Houston and San Francisco and was an active member of the St. John's Presbyterian Church congregation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Scleroderma Foundation or the San Francisco SPCA.