NAPA - Janette Rae (Stratton) Valentinsen, of Napa, passed peacefully to Heaven in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 28, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Janette and Bob were very good friends of mine. We hung around in High School and Jr. College, together. They were part of our group. Went to many parties with Janette and Bob. Bob was my Prom date in High School. I will miss them both!
Knew Janette best back at Ridgeview. Pretty, smart and friendly. Not pleasant thinking of all the early Ridgeview friends that are now gone. Missed for sure.
NAPA - Janette Rae (Stratton) Valentinsen, of Napa, passed peacefully to Heaven in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 28, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Janette, born in Napa Oct. 16, 1946, was the daughter of George and Dorothy Stratton of Napa. She was the youngest of four children: George Stratton Jr. of Napa, Carol (Stratton) Patrick of Cobb Mountain and Robert Stratton of Sonoma.
She was raised in Napa, and was a graduate of Napa High School, class of 1964. Janette met Gary Valentinsen, born and raised in Ventnor, N.J., during his enlistment in the U.S Navy in the Bay Area. They were married on Sept. 12, 1965, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She was the loving mother of two children: Timothy M. Valentinsen and Mary C. Valentinsen.
In addition to raising and loving her family, Janette also worked various jobs as a receptionist, legal secretary and substitute teacher at Justin-Siena High School.
A lifetime Roman Catholic, she was a long-time member of St. Apollinaris Catholic Church. She was an active member of various church organizations, including CCD, RCIA, confirmation classes, youth group, and the Women’s Guild. She was a devout laymember of the Discalced Carmelite Friars in Oakville taking the name of “Elizabeth of the Trinity.” She thoroughly enjoyed the support and fellowship of the Carmelite community.
One of the things Janette and Gary most enjoyed was combining their love of travel with the joy they took in spending time with family. They made numerous cross-country road trips to visit relatives on the East coast. In addition to trips throughout the United States Janette and Gary traveled abroad, touring Italy, Paris, London, Ireland, Germany, Denmark and other countries. They also had an unforgettable tour of the Vatican.
Janette was a dear friend to many, and her kindness and gentle nature made her absolutely beloved by her devoted family and friends. Janette left this life showing the same love, compassion, courage and caring with which she lived it. She will be dearly missed.
Janette is survived by her husband of 42 years, Gerhard Valentinsen; her children, Timothy Valentinsen and his wife, Sara Valentinsen of Napa, and Mary Valentinsen of Vacaville. Janette was a proud grandmom of three: Ryan Valentinsen (son of Tim and Sara) and Michael and Robert Rich (sons of Mary).
Viewing and visitation hours will be held Tuesday, June 3, from noon to 7 p.m., at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home, 1975 Main St., in Napa. The Rosary prayer service will be held at 7 p.m., at Claffey and Rota. The funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, June 4, at 10 a.m., at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, 3700 Lassen St., in Napa.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Discalded Carmelite Friars, Mount Carmel, P.O. Box 347, Oakville, CA 94562.
Charlotte Riley (Wallace)
NAPA - Janette Rae (Stratton) Valentinsen, of Napa, passed peacefully to Heaven in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 28, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Bruce Erricson
It's hard to believe that both Bob & Janette Stratton are gone. I knew them well for years growing up. Janette was a very cute, cheery & smart girl.
Diane Raymond (Ball)
Janette and Bob were very good friends of mine. We hung around in High School and Jr. College, together. They were part of our group. Went to many parties with Janette and Bob. Bob was my Prom date in High School. I will miss them both!
Burton (Burt) Williams
Knew Janette best back at Ridgeview. Pretty, smart and friendly. Not pleasant thinking of all the early Ridgeview friends that are now gone. Missed for sure.
Joan Arruda (Latimer)
NAPA - Janette Rae (Stratton) Valentinsen, of Napa, passed peacefully to Heaven in the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 28, 2008, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Janette, born in Napa Oct. 16, 1946, was the daughter of George and Dorothy Stratton of Napa. She was the youngest of four children: George Stratton Jr. of Napa, Carol (Stratton) Patrick of Cobb Mountain and Robert Stratton of Sonoma.
She was raised in Napa, and was a graduate of Napa High School, class of 1964. Janette met Gary Valentinsen, born and raised in Ventnor, N.J., during his enlistment in the U.S Navy in the Bay Area. They were married on Sept. 12, 1965, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She was the loving mother of two children: Timothy M. Valentinsen and Mary C. Valentinsen.
In addition to raising and loving her family, Janette also worked various jobs as a receptionist, legal secretary and substitute teacher at Justin-Siena High School.
A lifetime Roman Catholic, she was a long-time member of St. Apollinaris Catholic Church. She was an active member of various church organizations, including CCD, RCIA, confirmation classes, youth group, and the Women’s Guild. She was a devout laymember of the Discalced Carmelite Friars in Oakville taking the name of “Elizabeth of the Trinity.” She thoroughly enjoyed the support and fellowship of the Carmelite community.
One of the things Janette and Gary most enjoyed was combining their love of travel with the joy they took in spending time with family. They made numerous cross-country road trips to visit relatives on the East coast. In addition to trips throughout the United States Janette and Gary traveled abroad, touring Italy, Paris, London, Ireland, Germany, Denmark and other countries. They also had an unforgettable tour of the Vatican.
Janette was a dear friend to many, and her kindness and gentle nature made her absolutely beloved by her devoted family and friends. Janette left this life showing the same love, compassion, courage and caring with which she lived it. She will be dearly missed.
Janette is survived by her husband of 42 years, Gerhard Valentinsen; her children, Timothy Valentinsen and his wife, Sara Valentinsen of Napa, and Mary Valentinsen of Vacaville. Janette was a proud grandmom of three: Ryan Valentinsen (son of Tim and Sara) and Michael and Robert Rich (sons of Mary).
Viewing and visitation hours will be held Tuesday, June 3, from noon to 7 p.m., at Claffey and Rota Funeral Home, 1975 Main St., in Napa. The Rosary prayer service will be held at 7 p.m., at Claffey and Rota. The funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, June 4, at 10 a.m., at St. Apollinaris Catholic Church, 3700 Lassen St., in Napa.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Discalded Carmelite Friars, Mount Carmel, P.O. Box 347, Oakville, CA 94562.