On April 13, 2024, our beloved mother and grandmother, Jan Adams, departed this life and into heaven at the age of 75. Janice “Jan” Adams was born on June 2, 1948 in Covina, California to Daniel and Dorothy Salerno. She attended schools in West Covina and graduated from West Covina High in 1966. That summer, Jan met the love of her life, Mike, while on a family vacation to Lake Almanor, CA—a vacation that became a beloved annual event for decades to follow. She was drawn to Mike’s smile and clean, cut look. Their engagement soon followed, and they married on February 24, 1967 at Cupid’s Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, NV, frustrating her parents a bit and walking away from the various deposits and printed napkins for a large church wedding that was scheduled just a few months later. In 1970, Mike and Jan moved to Piñon Hills where they raised their growing family and ran a successful machining business. Indeed, they were blessed with four daughters and three sons.
Jan was always in motion, never sitting for long and many were convinced she never slept—she claimed it was from the years of staying up with her infant children. Her hands were busy cooking and cleaning, but also playing the piano, harp, and her recent ukulele interest. She was always ready to take a trip, go to dinner with friends and family, or help those who were ill as she camped out in hospital rooms or couches for the duration.
She was an adventurous soul who never met a stranger and could make a friend wherever she went. Even while in line at the market, it took just minutes for the person ahead or behind to be engaged in conversation and learn right away, as she said, “I have seven children.” Her infectious positivity and enthusiasm were appreciated by dozens of book clubs, bunco groups, knitting circles, and Bible studies.
Jan invested herself in others throughout her life, and anyone’s need became her purpose. She knit scarves and baby blankets to give away and tutored dozens of children well after her own had left home. She took pride in regaling her family with countless stories of those children’s success as her love overflowed for all.
Jan, Mike, and all her children became Christians in the 1980s after enrolling the kids in Christian school on a whim, which led to attending church, and then to new lives in Christ. She worshiped the Lord and lived out His call as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was especially close to her children as she would talk for hours on the phone with them to catch up on their busy lives. Life with her was beautiful, and her smile and distinctive,cackling laugh was contagious.
Jan is preceded in death by her loving husband Mike, parents Daniel and Dorothy Salerno, and oldest daughter Eve. She is survived by her daughters, Leah and David Cain of Apple Valley, CA; Rebecca and Thomas Love of Temecula, CA; Elizabeth Adams of Murrieta, CA; and sons, Richard and Angelique Adams of Dublin, TX; Reginald and Anne Adams of Phelan, CA; and Daniel and Breann Adams of Hesperia, CA. Jan was blessed with 27 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Dana Paine of Placentia, CA.
A memorial service celebrating Jan’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 27 at The Bridge Church, 38801 Calistoga Dr. in Murrieta.
A graveside service for Janice will be held Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Murrieta Valley Cemetery District, 42800 Ivy St, Murrieta, CA 92562.
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