Janet Case Beals

Pacific Grove, CA. Janet Case Beals died Friday May 9, 2014 peacefully in her home from Lymphoma. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Don; daughter, Dr. Suzanne Beals Battaglia; sons, Gary (Barb), Kevin (Lynn), and David (Julie); grandchildren, Lydia Beals (Sam), Carl Battaglia (Ayako), Robin Beals (Justin), Neal Battaglia, Lisa-Rose Battaglia, and James Puett; great-grandchildren, John Crawford, Jasper Crawford and Yuzuko Janet Battaglia, and many cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Frances Simpson Case and Harold Case, as well as 4-legged companions, Smudge Pot and Mellie Belly.

Janet was a cute little bundle of wit and supportive unconditional love. She was a smart, hard-working, caring and playful woman, who was interested in many things. She tried hard at whatever she did, including growing and improving herself. She always strove to be kind, and to do the right thing. Janet would socialize with people anywhere she went, from folks in line shopping, to her long-term friends and community. Into her 80’s, she remained a spry and fit tiny woman, doing weekly aerobics classes, Curves, and bowling. Through her final months, she was a positive complimenting-machine to be around. She had short-term memory loss, and might repeat the same thing a few times during a visit, but they were always lovely things to say like, “I married such a fine man.” She seemed to forget small stuff, but remembered what was important to her, and engaged in thoughtful conversations till the end. She went out in loving style, with a present mind, with little pain, and maintaining a positive attitude.

Janet and Don’s marriage was truly a “Live, Laugh, Love” partnership in every aspect. She absolutely lived and sparkled when surrounded by her family members and was so proud of each and every one of them. She loved music, and the theme song of Don and Janet’s was Irving Berlin’s “Always”. What a love affair they had. She was the “Homemaker” of the family and they loved without bounds. She was truly a magnificent mother. She gave us joy, and we loved her well.

Janet lived in many small towns in Eastern Oregon including Fossil, Heppner, and Baker City, before moving to Clatskanie on the Columbia River in Western Oregon. Janet Case was in the audience in Salem, Oregon, as was Don Beals of Salem, when the Clatskanie Basketball team won the 1946 State Championship; however, they were not destined to meet until 1950 when she was a junior at Oregon State College. After graduating from high school she worked a year as a secretary at Beaver Army Ammunition Dump in Clatskanie to provide funds for college. Her mother had been a class leader at the University of Oregon, but Janet chose rival Oregon State College. At Thanksgiving she put an OSC window sticker on her mother’s car only to have it scraped off and dumped on Janet’s slice of pumpkin pie. She was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity and was selected into the Phi Chi Theta Honorary. She graduated from Oregon State College with Honors in 1951.

Janet had a short career as a legal secretary, then, with a portable sewing machine, her dental bill paid and capital of $12, she took a chance on a flunked-out college student who had just been released from the Navy, and married her best friend and the love of her life. With her full time job as secretary in the Oregon State College Physical Education Department working for the Baseball Coach and the help of the Korean G.I. Bill in 1954, she earned a well-deserved Honorary Degree of PHT “Pushed Husband Through” (college). Their food budget was $40 per month. She then began a 24-year career as a Navy wife raising four children, living in San Diego, Japan, Charleston, Alameda, Seattle, Chile, and Pacific Grove.

She was the hub of the family that grew to include six exceptional grandchildren and three wonderful great-grandchildren. In addition to raising four children, she was especially blessed to be recycled and have the privilege to help raise three grandchildren in her home. Her youngest granddaughter, Lisa-Rose Battaglia, is a graduate student at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey. Her great- granddaughter, Yuzuko Janet Battaglia, was named after her.

Janet was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, which she attended for almost 40 years and was Secretary of the Presbyterian Women’s group. She and her family have lived in their historic house in Pacific Grove for 40 years. She appreciated living in such fabulous surroundings daily. She was a staunch volunteer with the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. They awarded her two Meritorious Service Awards, one for 23 years as Chairman in charge of the receptionists. She also served as a Red Cross volunteer at the Presidio Medical Clinic. Janet was on the Board of Directors at the Del Monte Club of the Naval Postgraduate School for many years. She was President of the Monterey Peninsula Alumni Association of Alpha Xi Delta. She bowled in the staff wives bowling league for about 30 years, was Treasurer for about 15 years and was selected as Bowler of the Year for 2011-2012. She worked with stained glass and made the stained glass panel of eight roses that beautifully graces the front door of their historic home in Pacific Grove.

In addition to her travels as a Navy wife, she traveled throughout the United States and to England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Machu Picchu. Running households for three years in Japan and over three years in Chile was challenging, but most rewarding. Janet was the “real deal” with genuine interest in others and her family. She also had a faithful companion in miniature poodle Annabelle, who will miss her comforting lap.

The family will be forever grateful for the compassionate care provided by Dr. Cindy Lee and Dr. Jerry Rubin, and by Hospice of the Central Coast. Nurses Lael, Shannon and Tami were exceptional, and the home health aides were superb. The caregivers from Visionary Home Health Services were kind in their provision of care for her. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be sent to the Lymphoma-Leukemia Society, Hospice of the Central Coast, or the donor’s favorite charity. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Monterey on June 29 at 3:00.