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BORN
1941
DIED
2021
Janice Sawochka Obituary
March 30, 2021
San Jose, California
Stephen George Sawochka, born May 26, 1937, and Janice M. (Caley) Sawochka, born April 18, 1941, of San Jose, California both passed away from illnesses on March 30, 2021. They were married on September 3, 1962 in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to San Jose in 1966. They are survived by their three children, Stephen M. Sawochka, of Camarillo, CA, Suzanne Sawochka Hooper, of Los Altos Hills, CA, and Karen Ann Wojciechowski, of Rocklin, CA, and their sons-in-law Peter A. Hooper and Michael T. Wojciechowski. They also had three beloved grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle and Andrew Wojciechowski. Steve and Jan loved to travel and spend time with their family. Steve enjoyed playing the piano and gardening and was a noted expert in the nuclear power industry. Jan was an avid tennis player, enjoyed volunteering and loved any party. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, April 17 at Saint Anthony Catholic Church in San Jose.
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Memories and Condolences
for Janice Sawochka
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
Erica Reuter
April 17, 2021
I worked with Jan and Steve as an admin for 6 years at NWT while I went to SJSU. They were kind and supportive of my studies (they even came to my senior music recital!), flexible with my schedule, and patient as I grew accustomed to the technical aspects of the job. They both helped me build a solid foundation of skills that has served me in every role I have had since.
Thank you for everything, Jan and Steve.
Erica
April 17, 2021
I worked with Jan and Steve as an admin for 6 years at NWT while I went to SJSU. They were kind and supportive of my studies (they even came to my senior music recital!), flexible with my schedule, and patient as I grew accustomed to the technical aspects of the job. They both helped me build a solid foundation of skills that has served me in every role I have had since.
Thank you for everything, Jan and Steve.
Julie Tibbitts (Gott)
April 15, 2021
Both Jan and Steve had such an absolute love for life.
I can still hear Jan’s laugh and see her infectious smile. Steve was always there steady as a rock — with his quick wit and classic humor.
They touched so many and will truly be missed.
Mark Meltzer
April 13, 2021
Had a glass of champagne last night for Jan and a glass of Syrah for Steve. They will be sorely missed. Sincere condolences to their family.
Jerry Palino and Georgia Van Zanten
April 12, 2021
What a total shock. We had no idea that Jan was ill. Steve's health has been a concern since 1988 when he experienced his first heart problem, but Steve was like the Energizer Bunny and kept on going, and going, and going.
I (Jerry) have known Steve and Jan since 1979 when I joined NWT. My wife Judy knew Jan before 1979 from tennis. Steve was a great boss with one of the sharpest intellects I have known and Steve (and also Jan) put up with me for over thirty years at the company. They both were my employer but we also became close personal friends.
The Covid-19 restrictions limited our contact for almost a year. In the past, we have partied together many times and in December of last year they convinced Georgia and I that it would be safe for us to go to a local pub for some appetizers and drink. Our plan was for after the holidays and after our vaccine shots. We had no idea of what was going to happen between then and now.
I really cared for these two and will miss them dearly. I can only imagine how Stephen, Suzanne and Karen feel about the loss of both of their parents, especially having it occur so close in time. Either one might have passed before their time as a result of a "broken heart". It is my experiences that the impact of a "broken heart" is real and consequential.
Our sincerest condolences to the Sawochka family.
Jerry Palino and Georgia Van Zanten.
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