JANIS JEAN SAUNDERS September 11, 1929 - June 15, 2017 Janis, or "Mimi", as she was known to her grandchildren, was a generous and loving woman who deeply valued spending time with her loved ones. Born and raised in Eureka, CA, Janis Jean Moore attended Nazareth Convent Elementary School, graduated from Eureka High School in 1946, and went to work for Eureka City Schools as a bookkeeper. In 1951 she met the love of her life, Glenn Walter Saunders, on a blind date, and they married that same year in Crescent City, CA. Janis then moved to Trinidad to join Glenn, where they owned and operated the Trinidad Store and later built and operated Saunders Market (now Murphy's Market) and Saunders Plaza for a total of thirty years. While working in the market and raising their 3 children, Janis was closely involved in the restoration of the Holy Trinity Church. She was a charter member of the Holy Trinity Guild, a member of the Trinidad Civic Club since 1952, and a member of the Redwood Nile Club. Janis, along with her husband Glenn, left a lasting legacy by donating land and funds for the Trinidad Museum, Trinidad Library, and Saunders Park. Janis was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Glenn Walter Saunders, in 2015; an infant son, Kent Richard Saunders; her parents, James Bryan and Emma Isabel (Demartin) Moore of Eureka; her maternal grandparents, Pietro Luigi and Agnes (O'Grady) DeMartin (originally DeMartini) of Klamath, CA; her paternal grandparents, James B. and Rebecka J. (Shaw) Moore of Illinois; her brother, James B. Moore; her sister, Patricia (Moore) Clark; and her brother-in-law, John Tulley. Janis is survived by her sons, Steven (Kelly) and Larry; her daughter, Gail (Mitch Ward); her sister-in-law, Beth (Saunders) Tulley; her grandchildren: Raquel (Carlos Garcia) and David Saunders, Melissa Saunders, Susie, Chris, and Vanessa Babot; nieces and nephews: Janet (Tulley) Eldridge and Tom Tulley; Paul, Thomas, and Sandra Clark; Gil, John, and Johanna Moore; numerous cousins; special family member, Martha Saunders; and special Trinidad friends, Tom and Anne Odom. We would like to acknowledge the following for their loving care: Dr. Marcelle Mahan and Kate Vogelsang, Mad River Home Health, Hospice of Humboldt, and the many wonderful caregivers, especially the Visiting Angels, Rocio Hernandez, Susie Babot, and Chris Babot. A celebration of life will be held on September 9th, 2017 at the Holy Trinity Church in Trinidad, at a time to be determined later. The family requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Glenn and Janis Saunders' Scholarship Fund at Humboldt Area Foundation, 363 Indianola Road, Bayside, CA 95524, or to the Holy Trinity Church, PO BOX 2367, McKinleyville, CA 95519. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com

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Published by Times-Standard from Jun. 20 to Jun. 25, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Janis Saunders

Sponsored by Times-Standard.

12 Entries

Jammi Harshbarger

August 30, 2017

Thinking of you and your family, LarrySending Love, Jammi and Harsh

Lowell Mengel II

June 29, 2017

Dear Saunders Family:

I am very sorry to hear of your loss.

June 28, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Glenn and Janis. We are the Goddi family of Rio Dell in the past.My now deceased parents , Ralph and Mary Goddi were friends. My nonna, Pellegrina Goddi-Erickson, knew their family well. Way back when she lived in Trinidad. They both were wonderful and kind people.

Karen Suiker

June 27, 2017

Together with Glenn again... so sorry for the loss of this lovely lady. She always seemed to have a smile on her face. She and Glenn have left a legacy in Trinidad for many generations. I am richer for having known them both.

Paul Lufkin

June 26, 2017

The tidings from Trinidad are sad indeed, as the Saunders family, and my other friends in and from that special place, mourn the passing of Janis Saunders - whom I have been privileged to know since my Humboldt County childhood. Her self-effacing grace and good humor, and her constancy in support of those around her, have left us not only with fond memories, but with a shining example of how it is possible, without either aggression or noise, to exemplify strength and determination. I shall miss her.

June 25, 2017

I am sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort be with you during your time of mourning. Isaiah 61:1,2 ; Matthew 5:4

June 25, 2017

Dear Gail It is so sad to loose your mom I know I lost my mom a few years ago. I am so sorry for you and your family . I will say a little prayer or you and yours. Love Marvene

Lindy Casselbury

June 21, 2017

Dear Saunders Family, My condolences at the loss of your wonderful Mother. As a caretaker for your mom,I got to know her and you all pretty well. I enjoyed taking care of her and becoming her friend.I will never forget your mom and what a wonderful,loving lady she was. Lindy Casselbury

Sharon Yost Pat Murphy

June 21, 2017

To Gail and the entire Saunders family, our sincerest sympathy. Janis was such a warm, kind and fun lady. She will be missed by so many. Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time.

Jim & Lezlie Estes

June 20, 2017

Dear Larry, Steve, Gail, your families and loved ones,

Words simply cannot fully express the sense of loss and pain that you each must feel with the passing of your mother. Your mother served in your home as the family peacemaker, cake baker, school lunch packer, classroom volunteer, and the biggest fan in each of your own successes and challenges throughout her entire life. And together, your parents will forever be remembered as legendary Patriarchs and community leaders in Trinidad's to-be-written history books.

They touched the lives of many, many people over their years of selflessly serving their beautiful coastal community. But what was clearly their most enduring quality was that of giving back to the community and the people of Trinidad. For your parents, it was never about a one-time monetary donation, it was about repeatedly seeing a community need and stepping in to assist. In fact, there was at least one occasion - where their personal generosity was all that kept the City of Trinidad 'open for business.'

Please know that there are literally thousands of folks, who also grew-up on the Northcoast, who will forever appreciate your mother for her civic devotion and can-do spirit.

There will never be a couple quite like your parents. A couple who made such a profound and lasting, positive impact on their community. And there was never a doubt that your mother stood right there beside your dad, and never 'behind' him, which was a testament to her equal standing in all family, business, and political matters.

And as for us, when life again allows we will visit Trinidad again. And as we take that exit off of Northbound Highway 101 and drive West past the gas station - we'll pull over to the right and look up the long, sloping lawn at the Saunders' home. And we will pay our respects to your most special mother.

May your mother rest peacefully now, alongside your father, in the loving arms of our Savior.

Tom Estes

June 20, 2017

My condolences to the extended Saunders' family on the passing of another local community icon. She made a lasting difference, and she will continue to do so through you, her loving family.

Angele Olsen

June 20, 2017

Glenn and Janis were two of the most amazingly generous people I have ever met during my time in Humboldt. I was saddened by the passing of Glenn and I am once again with the loss of Janis. They certainly have left quite the legacy and their generousity will be spoken about forever. All my love and thoughts to the family during this difficult time. I'm sure you're finding solace with the thought that she's been reunited with the love of her life once again.

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