Janet Hill

1944 - 2025

Janet Hill
08/15/1944 - 05/06/2025
Janet Louise Hill
August 15, 1944 – May 6, 2025
Janet Louise Hill, a lifelong resident of Visalia, California, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on August 15, 1944, in Visalia to Lester and Beulah Brown, Janet lived a life defined by compassion, curiosity, and community. She attended Mt. Whitney High School and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from San Jose State University, where she was a proud member of the Kappa Delta Sorority.
While teaching in Mexico, Janet met and fell in love with Noel Flynn. They married in 1967 and began their life together in San Francisco. During this time, Noel attended the University of the Pacific Dental School while Janet taught at John McLaren Elementary School. In 1971, the couple returned to Janet's hometown of Visalia, where they built a dental practice and started a family. Janet continued her teaching career at Washington Elementary School, where she nurtured and inspired her third-grade students.
Janet and Noel raised two sons - Michael Patrick, born in 1973, and Trevor Ryan, born in 1976. The Flynn family enjoyed a deep love of the outdoors, spending summers camping at Mineral King and traveling to possibly every state park in California. They were also passionate skiers, and Janet brought a sense of adventure wherever she went. She often fondly recalled her daring attempts to sneak into the Union Pacific Club atop Nob Hill in San Francisco - just one of many stories that reflected her spirited nature. (In 2005, Janet was invited to dinner at the club!)
Janet was deeply involved in her community. She was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Daughters of the American Revolution, local wine and book clubs, and served on the PTA at Conyer Elementary and Divisadero Middle School.
In 1992, Janet experienced the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Noel, to cancer. Years later, she found joy and companionship again when she married Clarence Hill, also of Visalia. Together, Janet and Clarence lived life to the fullest, splitting their time between Visalia and Pebble Beach. They were devoted members of both the Visalia Country Club and the Monterey Peninsula Country Club. They also traveled the world together - visiting places such as Africa, the Black Sea, Hong Kong, and, most memorably, Paris, where Janet received private cooking lessons from a renowned chef.
Janet was a gracious hostess, an exceptional cook, and a gifted decorator. Her home was a warm and elegant reflection of her personality - each detail thoughtfully curated. Entertaining was one of her great joys, and she made every guest feel special.
Janet is survived by her beloved husband, Clarence; sons, Michael (Melodi) and Trevor; stepchildren, Bart and Susan (Brendan); grandchildren, Laird and Charlotte; and step-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Paige, and Mara. She also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Dr. Noel Flynn, her brother, Bob Brown, and stepdaughter-in-law, Napier Hill.
A service celebrating Janet's life will be held on June 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Visalia, California.
Janet's life was a testament to love, family, friendship, and the joy of living fully. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.