Nancy Janette Soncrant

1939 - 2024

Nancy "Janette" Soncrant, our darling mother, sister, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully in her Citrus Heights home of 50 years, on July 25, 2024. She was 84 years old.

Janette was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Chester "Chet" Byron and Nancy "Evelyn" Smith. She was the eldest of their three daughters.

Following her graduation from high school in Fort Worth, the family moved west to Weaverville, CA in 1957, and then to Red Bluff shortly thereafter.

In 1958, Janette began attending Shasta College, where she worked on the school paper and was involved in ROTC and choir. She graduated with an AA in Communications.

While attending college, Janette met the love of her life, William "Bill" Amos Soncrant. Their adventure officially began on September 4, 1959, when they were married.

Janette and Bill had three children: William "Michael", Nancy and Mary. The family enjoyed camping, playing board games and putting together puzzles, and throwing parties. As a mom, she created a welcoming environment for her family and all of their friends. She was active in PTA and facilitated and supported the constant extracurricular activities of her children such as Bluebirds, Boy Scouts, dancing, swimming, football, softball, piano lessons, volleyball and so much more.

During the entirety of her adult life, Janette worked. She was a "secretary" to the directors of the Chamber of Commerce in Red Bluff and in Pittsburg, CA (1965-1974). She continued her career as an administrative assistant with the City of Roseville's engineering department, where she played a crucial role in Roseville's explosive growth during the 1980s and 1990s with her natural ability to think outside the box and motivate others.

Her commitment to community service was illustrated by her actions. She was a member of Soroptimist International and the Order of the Eastern Star. She was deeply involved in Boy Scouts of America, alongside Bill, serving on Eagle boards as well as supporting the development of adult leaders through her participation in the Woodbadge program. Janette was also exceptionally proud to spend many election days leading a team operating the local polling place.

In her "spare time," she and Bill enjoyed traveling the country in their van, including driving through Canada to Northern Alaska, visiting many historical sites, and calling and writing to family during each trip.

She loved roller coasters, crafting, sewing, music, decorating and collecting. She loved the Westminster Dog Show, San Francisco 49ers, Sacramento Kings, the Triple Crown, musical theater, crossword puzzles, reading, creative writing, and any activity involving her grandchildren. She was also the repository of family lore.

Janette was smart, funny and fun, creative, kind, dynamic, tough as nails (a 2x cancer survivor), and most of all, supportive, beautiful and loving. She made friends wherever she went, and she cherished them.

She is survived by her two sisters, Roseanne Hansen and Kay Sowles (Mike), her three children, Michael Soncrant, Nancy Soncrant, and Mary Rippetoe (David), her grandchildren Christopher Soncrant, Alyssa Michael (Cory), Zoe Helton, Dr. Samantha Rippetoe (Andrew), Catherine Rippetoe (Kevin), and her 3 great granddaughters Evelyn and Lily Michael and Enid Allsup-Rippetoe.

Services will be held locally on August 9 at 7 p.m. at Life Center Church, 1052 Melody Lane, Suite 290, Roseville. A graveside service will be held on August 21 at Oak Hill Cemetery, 600 Cemetery Lane, Red Bluff, at 10 a.m., followed by a reception at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 735 Oak Street.

In lieu of flowers remembrances can be made to Shriners Hospital Northern California at donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312.