Janell Ann Goulart

Janell was born on July 29, 1936, the only child of James and Janell Mitchell. Except for her birth in Merced, she spent her entire life in Visalia. A descendent of one of the first 50 settlers in Tulare County, Janell enjoyed sharing her family history and visiting her ancestors’ graves.

Near the end of her freshman year, Janell asked Visalia Senior High School classmate Frank Goulart to join her for a picnic with friends at Mooney Grove. That eventually led to a high school romance and a 66 year marriage.

During high school Janell was involved in many activities including playing the cello and being a songleader on the pep squad. While in high school she also worked at Reeve’s Shoe Store and Condit’s Flowers. After graduating from high school she began working at Southern California Edison until marrying Frank in 1956. Following the marriage Janell helped to operate the family farm.

After starting a family with Frank, Janell returned to college in 1966. She first completed an AA degree at College of the Sequoias. After that, each morning for three years Janell would prepare breakfasts and sack lunches for the family then drive one hour each way to Fresno State for classes. She would return home in the late afternoon to make dinner, take the children to after school activities, help with their homework and more. Her own college homework and studying waited until after the children were in bed. Yet she still graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Geography and a multiple subject teaching credential from Fresno State.

Janell was hired by the Visalia Unified School District in 1971, spending her entire 33 year career teaching at Royal Oaks School. Among her education related activities were organizing the first Science Night at Royal Oaks, coaching Odyssey of the Mind teams, working with the California Science Implementation Network (CSIN), helping to write a state science framework used by California elementary schools, serving as a Master Teacher mentoring new student teachers, and creating engaging, creative lessons for her students. Even in retirement, she would be approached by former students or their parents saying hello and commenting how much they had loved her class.

Janell was active as a leader for her children in the Elbow Creek 4-H, Cub Scouts, Brownies, Fairview School PTA, and more. Additionally she was involved over the years as a member of many organizations including Beta Sigma Phi sorority, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the American Association of University Women, Holy Family Altar Society, Visalia Senior High School class of 1954 reunion committee, and others.

She loved to prepare large holiday dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas, spending all year looking for new recipes to add to the table then days preparing that along with family favorites.

She was also generous and concerned about other people. Whether it was donating turkeys to Visalia Emergency Aid at the holidays, organizing Christmas for Kids gift giveaways, or simply anonymously buying a cup of coffee for someone she saw in the cold, she always thought about others.

Janell is survived by her husband Frank along with her children Robert Goulart (Marie) of Clovis, CA, Frank A. Goulart (Colleen McGuire) of Visalia, CA, and Sharon Holahan (Tom) of Visalia, CA. She is also survived by her grandchildren Taylor Holahan (Danielle) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA and Conor Holahan (Kaylee Metzger) of Sacramento, CA along with her first soon-to-be-born great-grandchild. She is also survived by her first cousins who she thought of as her siblings: Janet, Judy, Jane, Jeanne, and Gary. Survivors also include her niece Carol Meyer of Visalia, CA and nephew Mike Haider of Clovis, CA. She will be missed by her faithful companion dogs Cookie and Peanut.

“Rest in peace Honey. See you soon.”

In lieu of flowers, if desired the family suggests donations be made in Janell’s name to the Tulare County 4-H Leader’s Council at 4437 S. Laspina Suite B, Tulare, CA 93274.

A graveside service for Janell will be held Monday, December 19, 2022 at 10:30 at Visalia Public Cemetery District, 1300 W. Goshen Ave, Visalia, CA 93291.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Goulart family.