Janet May Separovich

Janet May Separovich, also known as Auntie, was born on October 30, 1951 in Sacramento, CA to Mark Separovich and Theresa Cecchettini. She was also welcomed home by her older sister Kathy, who wasn’t too sure about this new competition for her parents’ affection. But in time, Kathy couldn’t help but love this darling baby with big dimples, who as she grew into a toddler, provided Kathy with many funny stories to share with her classmates at Holy Spirit Grammar School. Janet also attended Holy Spirit and graduated from Bishop Manogue High School in 1969. Janet attended Sacramento City College from 1969 to 1970 and not wanting to rush things, but also being tenacious, graduated from California State University, Sacramento, in the year 2000.

Janet recently retired after a long career with the State of California. For the past 20 years, Janet served as a claim auditor for the State Controller’s Office. She was so proud when her retirement certificate was presented to her personally by the State Controller, John Chiang.

Janet was a devoted daughter. After her father Mark passed away in the year 2000, Janet lived with her mother Theresa, who had developed dementia, and took care of her for two years until Theresa passed in the year 2002.

Janet was a wonderful sister and was always there anytime Kathy needed her. Janet was a true Scorpio and was wonderfully witty and sarcastic. She and Kathy spent endless hours in their 58 years together laughing and finding humor in just about anything, even in times of sadness. Janet would make Kathy laugh so much that after one long phone conversation with Janet, Kathy’s husband Gordon stated “you sounded like you were at a comedy club”.

Janet was a second mother to Kathy’s children, Linda and Michael. Auntie was one of the few persons, Michael would let hold him when he was a baby and Linda adored her. She attended all of their basketball, baseball and soccer games and rooted loudly.

One time when Auntie was still living with her parents, she had Linda and Michael over for New Year’s Eve. To bribe them to be good, she promised them that at midnight they could jump on the beds and make all the noise they wanted for 15 minutes. She provided noisemakers and laughed as they jumped on all the beds. This was one story that was never told to Mark and Theresa.

Janet was Auntie to everyone. When Linda married Stan and Michael married Jill, they were welcomed and loved by Auntie. She was Auntie to Kristi and Matt, and Brian and Summer. She was Auntie to all of Michael and Linda’s friends, her friends’ children and her cousins’ children as well. She would never miss a birthday and was generous with her time and gifts.

Janet adored her great nieces and nephews. She loved to hold and snuggle with them when they were little. As they grew older, she would play cards and games with them and would never intentionally let them win. She loved one on one time with them, taking them to lunch, the movies or whatever they wished to do. Family occasions would always find one of the children getting a back rub from Auntie and others waiting in line for their turn. At the children’s request Auntie would bring New Roma rolls for her contribution to family dinners and would always bring an extra bag for each child.

Janet loved her aunts, uncles and cousins and was responsible for many family reunions. As the aunts and uncles passed, Janet would keep the cousins together by organizing “cousin lunches”.

Janet had wonderful friends, some going back to her grammar school days. When Janet made a friend, he or she was a friend for life. Janet was compassionate, generous, reliable, loyal, trustworthy, honest and never showed up late for anything ever.

Janet was a devout Catholic. She was the one the family relied on for prayers in time of need. When things were really bad, Janet would call for backup from the Sisters of Mercy in Auburn. There was never an occasion that those prayers went unanswered.

One answered prayer Janet was especially proud of was when her nephew Michael was going elk hunting in Colorado in a spot not known to have any large elk. Janet prayed that Michael would bag a 6 x 6 trophy bull elk and he did. She was sure she was responsible for his success and did not let him forget it.

Janet lived life to the fullest and had no regrets. She had an extremely active social life. She had a lot of friends and many were best friends. She laughed and made others laugh. She loved and was loved. She had a strong faith in God and inspired others. She was compassionate and giving. She was always there for her family and friends. She was a beautiful daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt, niece, cousin, friend and co-worker. She had extraordinary wit and an infectious laugh. She was irresistible. She will be missed by all and life will never be quite the same without her.

Goodbye, sweet Janet.