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Janet Heller Obituary
Palm Springs - Janet Thomas Heller died on February 6, 2020, in Palm Springs at the age of 84. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 3, 1935 to Walter W. and Marian G. Thomas. Her family moved to Oscoda, Michigan in 1942. Janet graduated from Oscoda High School in 1953 and from Michigan State University in 1957. She received her Masters degree from California State San Bernardino in 1977. She married James D. Heller in 1958 and together they had four daughters. Janet taught school in Michigan, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. In 1966 she and Jim moved to Palm Springs and she continued teaching in the Palm Springs Unified School District, she was a Vice Principal at Nellie N. Coffman Junior High School and the District Curriculum Supervisor before leaving the school district in 1979. She reinvented her professional career and became the office manager for the orthodontic practice of Drs. Jacob and Craine in Palm Springs from 1980-1998.
She was a very active member of the desert community serving as President of the Palm Springs Teachers Association 1974-1975, the Church of St. Paul in the Desert, National Charity League, American Association of University Women and the California Teachers Association
She is survived by her daughters Sharon Hamilton, Susan Hamilton Shaw, Suzie Kim and Beth Owsley, 8 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at The Church of St. Paul in the Desert, 125 W. El Alameda, on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 11:00 am, with a reception following at Los Compadres Clubhouse, 1849 El Cielo Road, Palm Springs. In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorial donations be made either to The Church of St. Paul
in the Desert or The Foundation for Palm Springs Unified School District, 150 District Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264, www.psusdfoundation.net/donations
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries
Linda Vivian
March 12, 2020
Vaya con Dios,my friend.
Aaron Riviers
March 11, 2020
Jan was a sweet person I worked with her on the Altar Guild at Saint Paul in the Desert. I will miss her sweet spirit my prayers go out to her family. May she now Rest In Peace and Rise in Glory.
Barbara Gast
March 10, 2020
Jan was a highly respected educator, and colleague of my husband, John. Jan was fun, and I always enjoyed my work with her at PSUSD. She will be missed by everyone who knew her from PSUSD as well as all the youngsters who knew her from Dr. Craine's office. Sincere condolences to all of her family.
Patricia Curry
March 10, 2020
Beth, I am sorry for your loss. It is never easy.
PATRICIA CRAINE
March 8, 2020
DEAR BETH AND FAMILY..IT WAS WITH SADDNESS THAT I READ OF JANS PASSING. SHE WAS QUITE A GAL AND RESPECTED IN ALL HER ENDEAVORS IN THE COMMUNITY. SHE WAS A DEVOTED WIFE , MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER, HER MANY DAYS A WITH MY HUSBAND, BUD , WERE SOME OF THE HAPPIEST, MAY YOUR WARM AND WONDERFUL MEMORIES TOGETHER HOLD YOU ALL CLOSELY NOW AND IN THE DAYS TO COME. WARMLY, PATTI CRAINE
Ralph Coomber
March 5, 2020
Jan was a class act, a first class teacher and administrator. Always positive and supportive. Palm Springs mourns the loss!!
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