Janet Bollinger

1948 - 2025

Janet Francis (McFadden) Bollinger, a devoted mother, grandmother, and pillar of her Land Park community, passed away peacefully from ALS on her 77th birthday. Born on September 19, 1948, in Eugene, Oregon, to the late Burke Lane McFadden, Jr., and Lillian Kastl, Janet's life was a tapestry of warmth, resilience, and unwavering kindness that touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Janet was raised in the heart of Sacramento by her uncle and aunt, John and Anne Kastl, where she developed a lifelong passion for the Land Park neighborhood and the simple joys of family gatherings. She attended Holy Spirit Parish School before graduating from St. Francis High School in 1966. A graduate of Sacramento State University, she pursued a career in education, spending nearly 30 years as a beloved librarian in the Sacramento Unified School District before retiring from McClatchy High School. Her libraries were a haven of creativity and encouragement, where she inspired countless students to discover their potential.

In 1970, Janet married Michael Bollinger, and together they raised three children. In her sunset years, Janet's home was the family's anchor, where she cultivated traditions like Christmas Eve brunch-with homemade Chex mix and hot wassail-as well as Easter Sunday featuring her famous Easter Bunny Cake and competitive egg hunts.

A woman of deep faith, Janet was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She enjoyed traveling all over the world with lifelong friends, attending theater shows, participating in history classes, and cherishing her book club, where discussions on every genre were often accompanied by laughter.

Janet is survived by her children, Brian (spouse Jennifer) Bollinger, Brett Bollinger, and Annie (spouse Nick) Silveira, and five grandchildren who adored their "GJ" and were showered with love through yearly trips to Santa Cruz, viewing Christmas lights around town, and cookie-decorating sessions; her brother, Joe McFadden; her sister, Nette (McFadden) Keeler; and nieces, nephews, and incredible friends.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Holy Spirit Parish or the Sacramento Zoo.