Janet Wolf

1946 - 2022

Janet Wolf

1946 - 2022

Janet Wolf, 75, of Napa, CA, passed away on January 29, 2022 after a valiant, two year battle with brain cancer.

Janet was born on September 17th, 1946 to Robert and Gladys Barngrover in Decatur, IL. Her family later settled in the San Fernando Valley area of CA where they enjoyed weekend "field trips" hiking in nearby parks, checking out different beaches, or visiting museums. Janet was a great older sister to her three younger siblings, always setting a good example and watching over them.

In Janet's youth, her family looked forward to summer vacations where they went tent camping in state and national parks throughout the West. This instilled in Janet and her siblings a love of the beauty and wonder of nature. One of Janet's favorite locations was Yosemite National Park. Her family would float down the river in inner tubes and watch the Yosemite Firefall program later at night.

After graduating from North Hollywood High School, she studied Art History at UCLA and pursued a teaching credential. In the summers she worked at Grand Teton National Park outside of Jackson, WY. She enjoyed it so much that she convinced her three siblings to come to the Tetons and work there, as well.

Janet started teaching in the Los Angeles and San Diego area while her first husband, James Lemieux, furthered his education and military service. A few years later they moved north to Napa, CA where Janet began her teaching career at Northwood Elementary, and the couple welcomed a daughter, Kara. A few years later Janet married Richard Wolf, bringing along with him two young sons, Erik and Steve.

Janet continued her teaching career at Northwood, starting in 1st/2nd grade and eventually settling on 4th grade. She absolutely loved teaching and being around young children!! She set up her classroom to include a "General Store" where students used "micro money" they earned in class to buy snacks and prizes. She also took on extra projects like organizing her famous "high tea" parties where students read, "Twas the Night Before Christmas"; teaching square dancing, putting on student plays, doing art projects and teaching her students patriotic songs. Janet retired after 33 years at Northwood Elementary. She worked with some wonderful teachers and administrators who remained lifelong friends.

In retirement Janet pursued many interests. With more free time she pursued her love of travel, making several roadtrips with her husband Rich touring the United States. They also enjoyed cruises through the Panama Canal and Alaska, as well as traveling through Europe and China. Janet resumed her love of art by enrolling in oil, pastel, and watercolor classes at the community college. She was also active with a bocce team for many years, put on neighborhood parties, and joined her beloved book club where she reunited with several of her former teacher friends.

When she was at home Janet always preferred being outside. She tended to her front patio and backyard plants daily, helped to install a lovely waterfall, built a "rock" river, and visited local plant nurseries to find just the right flowers to plant in each location of her home. Beautiful floral arrangements and tablecloths were a "must" in her kitchen for family and friends to let them know how special they were to her.

Janet looked forward to family reunions in Wyoming at the "Cabin" her dad built; to seaside excursions around Monterey, Carmel and SF; and to sharing the beauty and her favorite spots around Napa with friends and visiting family members.

Most of all, Janet loved spending time over the last 7 years with her granddaughter, Alexis. She spent many hours reading to Alexis, teaching her arts and crafts, making blanket forts, catching all of her performances, as well as exploring parks and the wonderful Children's Museum in Santa Rosa. Janet also loved doting on her grandson Garrett, making sure to send him gifts that would peak his interests.

Janet will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her sweet, gentle nature. She was always thinking of others before herself. Her memory will always bring us smiles.

Janet was predeceased by her dad Robert, mom Gladys, and brother Roger. She is remembered with love by her husband Rich, daughter Kara (Jason, Alexis), son Erik (Stacey,Gage, Kayli, Jordan), son Steve (Jennifer, Euan, Garrett), sister Nancy (Paul, Marley, Collin, and grand nieces), brother Ron, stepmom Jean, stepbrothers' Pat (Tracy and family) and Paul (Lisa and family), and stepsister Liz (Gary and family), as well as extended family and her many friends.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later date. In honor of Janet's generosity to others, please choose a charity of your choice to donate to in lieu of flowers.