Janet Ann (Benedix) Willet tragically left us on August 15, 2020, she was 78. Janet was born in Escalon, California to Beverly and Walter (Shorty) Benedix, and resided in Valley Home throughout her childhood. She attended Oakdale High School and graduated in 1960. After high school, Janet went on to Sacramento State University where she became a registered dental hygienist. Janet had a successful career as a dental hygienist for more than 30 years and was well loved by her patients and co-workers.

Janet lived a full life and loved to travel. She loved the tropics especially Hawaii and visited the islands with family and friends many times. She also made multiple trips to Mexico and Central America; perhaps her most adventurous trip was backpacking through Guatemala, Honduras and Chiapas, Mexico in the late 1980s. She and her partner of 30 years Ken Simmons also traveled throughout the US in their trailer, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Janet was a nature lover, an avid bird watcher, and gardener. She maintained a beautiful yard at her home in Escalon filled with colorful roses, zinnias, lilies, and crepe myrtles. Above all, Janet loved her family. She was happiest when surrounded by her children and grandchildren, especially during the Thanksgiving holidays.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Beverly and Walter. Her partner Kenneth Simmons passed December 2, 2021. Janet is survived and deeply missed by her two children; Richard and Jocelyn, her daughter-in-law Angel, her grandchildren, Madeline, Mckenzie, Hunter, Emelia and Ben, as well as her brother Ron. We invite Janet’s friends and family to celebrate Janet’s life with us on Sunday, October 16 at the Escalon Sportsman’s Club at 1 p.m. Lunch and refreshments will be served.

The Escalon (Calif.) Times

Oct. 5, 2022