Jane Frances Yañez, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 31, 2024.
Born on November 3, 1930, in Menlo Park, California, to Pearl and Arthur McFaul, Jane was the youngest of three children. Her impressive 93 ½ years were enriched by a love of family, education and gardening. Jane was the first of her family to graduate from college. She earned her Baccalaureate Degree from San Jose State, studying English, Spanish and Education, with a minor in French. It was there in 1951 that she met the love of her life, Ronald J. Yañez. After college, Jane began her teaching career, while Ron was away, having been drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict. In July of 1955, and just a few days after Ron was honorably discharged, Jane and Ron were married. They started a family while living in Northern California, in “Redwood Country”, had two daughters, then moved south to Riverside, California in 1959 and added a son to their family. With three children to raise, Jane took a break from teaching, while Ron taught and coached at Norte Vista High School.
Eventually, Jane returned to her role as a dedicated educator. She volunteered as the Sunday School Superintendent at Magnolia Presbyterian Church and taught preschoolers for Head Start, then substitute taught for a few years before returning to full time employment as a 6th grade teacher at Arizona Intermediate School. Both Jane and Ron retired from Alvord Unified School District in 1989, then she began to have more time to pursue her interests in gardening and reading. Books (non-fiction), magazines, the daily newspaper, grocery advertisements, crossword puzzles and the “funnies” were always within reach in the Yañez home. Throughout retirement, Jane enjoyed keeping up with current events, local politics and their wonderful and fun group of retired teaching friends at occasional social gatherings.
Jane and Ron had wonderful travel experiences visiting their children and grandchildren and other relatives in various locations across the U.S. When she wasn’t visiting, Jane was a frequent communicator by phone and mail and even became somewhat adept at using an iPad to read and respond to messages and photos sent by the younger generations of her family. Throughout her life, Jane had a great appreciation for the arts, literature, music and a good meal! Although it was not easy as she aged, Jane continued to cook the meals that she and Ron enjoyed, even until her last few months of life, many times over the years, utilizing the vegetables and fruits grown from their garden.
Jane was proud of her Native American, Karuk tribe heritage and honored her ancestors' deep respect and appreciation for nature and conservation of natural resources. Her philosophy of “waste not, want not”, was evident in all she did, and her family admired her for her frugality and practicality. Her sense of humor and straightforwardness were qualities that endeared her to all who knew her. Jane entertained many friends and family and even her doctors, with her penchant for “smart” jokes, turn of phrase, also her frank but humorous quips.
Jane is survived by her devoted husband, Ronald, and their three children, Melanie (William), Lisa (Tom), and John (Debbie). Jane was a cherished grandmother to Marisa (Gilbert), Jenee, Joe (Trysta), Emily (Sam), Laura (Cody), Thomas (Kate), Jared, and Nicholas, and a loving great-grandmother to Genevieve, Tavin, Tenley, Trace, Layla, and Laika.
Her family will miss her deeply, but her spirit and the lessons she imparted will live on in their hearts. She leaves behind a legacy of learning, love, and the joy of simple pleasures. We will all miss her so much.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Thomas Miller Mortuary. Private graveside services will be held on June 25th at 11 o’clock at Riverside National Cemetery.
Riverside National Cemetery
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