Janet Eileen Gay

Janet E. Gay (Soderblom) “Jan, Meme”, 70, passed away peacefully all too soon in her sleep of unknown causes on December 19th, 2023. She was born in Everett, WA to Frank and Erma Soderblom and lived in the Snohomish area her entire life.

After graduating from Snohomish High School in 1971 she married Jeff, the love of her life, at the young age of 19. Jan was a meat wrapper for a short time in her early years working for both Kelso’s Kustom Meats and then Barts Marzolf Locker Meats before finding joy in the hardware business. She spent 10 years at Coast to Coast in Monroe focusing on the wonders of paint mixing and then another 10 years at McDaniels Do It Center in Snohomish taking pride in the plumbing as well as the home and decorating departments before retiring to focus on family.

As a young woman, Jan had a dream of building a home. In 1988, she and Jeff found the perfect five-acre property and built their first dream home in Snohomish, WA where they still reside today. The house is filled with joy, love, family, and angels. After Jeff retired, she was blessed with building another dream, her place of peace and tranquility, a cabin with room for everyone on Nason Creek in Eastern Washington. The cabin was her escape and her heaven here on earth where she was surrounded by nature and beauty. She spent time playing in the sand and swimming in the creek (river) as the trains passed by. She built fires, gardened, and decorated her cabin ever so thoughtfully with all her treasures and unique finds from the many trips to antique stores, Goodwill, and estate sales.

While Jan had many accomplishments in life, her love for family and God were the driving forces that made her the amazing woman she was. Her purpose in life was to ensure everyone was happy and she did everything she could to achieve this. In one of her many cherished writings, she wrote “I still wear myself out worrying about all the loved ones in my life and if they are happy and doing ok”. Jan was always the life of the party, dancing with everyone, making sure all were included no matter who they were. She touched many people in so many ways, not just her family, but also her friends and co-workers, her children’s friends, and even her grandchildren’s friends. She will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.

Jan was preceded in death by her mom Erma and her dad Frank Soderblom who she missed dearly. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 51 years Jeffry L. Gay, her 2 daughters Amy (Chad) Bartnikowski, and Jill Gay. 4 grandchildren Brandon Bartnikowski (Claire Meyers), Tyler (Madison) Bartnikowski, Kelsie Bartnikowski, and Max Hodges and one newly born great-grandchild Cameron Bartnikowski. She also leaves behind her siblings: Allen (Nancy) Soderblom, Annie (Jim) Jensen, and Susie (Dick) Ryan and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

There will be a celebration of life in the Spring to remember all Jan had to offer this world which will be announced at a later date.