Janice Mata

”One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.“ Psalm 27:4

Janice Elizabeth Mata was a woman of faith, strong faith. She lived her life for God, her family, and to uplift others. Janice went to be with the Lord on May 14, 2024 at the age of sixty-three.

Janice was born in San Jose, California on September 27, 1960 to Conseulo Bañales and Henry Garcia She was raised by her mother, Connie, and stepdad, Fred Espinoza in San Jose, California. Janice graduated from Andrew Hill High School in 1978, and became a certified Visiting Nurse’s Assistant (VNA). She cared for elderly and sick patients for many years.

Janice came to the Lord at the age of nineteen, and her heart was sold out from the very beginning. She was hesitant to marry Pete Mata Jr., fearful that she would love him more than God. But they were married on July 23, 1983, and God always held His rightful place in her heart.

Janice was a faithful and loving wife and mother, never ceasing to pray for her family. She supported her husband in life and ministry for forty years, and was the example of a godly and devoted wife. Janice was an amazing mother, and the rock in her family. Though Janice was timid in her youth, she was bold in her later years. She often said that she raised her children “looking to the future,” pushing them to greater things, sometimes a little forcefully, with a spanking or a scowl. But all three of her children are active in ministry and blessed in life, and can attest to the blessing in a spanking. As a grandma, Janice lived to enjoy her nine grandbabies. Despite great distances, she never missed a birthday, and sang “The Wheels on the Bus” to each one, if not in person, then over FaceTime.

Reading was one of Janice’s favorite pastimes. She read countless Christian books, but her favorite was The Holy Bible. She memorized many chapters and verses, always hiding God’s word in her heart. Janice was a woman of prayer and great faith. Though she fought with scleroderma for 14 years, she battled in the spirit just as long. Through the depths of pain and sickness, Janice never lost her faith. She never stopped fighting. Even until the very end, she held onto life, amazing doctors and nurses with her tenacity.

The lives of many people have been touched by Janice. She will always be remembered for her genuine smile, open heart, and willingness to fight for others. We have been blessed by her life and will see her again soon.

Janice was preceded in death by her dad, Fred. She is survived by her mother, Connie Espinoza, and her four siblings, Henry, Susan, Jimmy, and Diane. She is also survived by her husband, Pete Mata Jr., her three children, Jenine, Isaac, and Pete, along with their spouses, Luis, Melissa, and Leslie. She had nine grandchildren, Malachi, Arabella, Isaac Gideon, Ezra, Alden, Levi, Daphne, Celeste, and Evan, and two on the way.

The celebration service will be held at Coble Funeral & Cremation at Greenlawn Memorial Park at 12 pm, with a visitation at 11 am. Interment will follow. The service will be streamed at 12 pm through a link on her memorial web page.