Hazel Janice Manjoras

Born Hazel Janice Rogers, June 1, 1923, in McGill, Nevada to Russell and Helen White Rogers. The family moved to Ventura in 1927. Janice attended Ventura schools, graduating with the Class of 1940. In high school she excelled in sports, particularly tennis, competing in the Ojai Tennis Tournament in 1938. She attended Ventura Jr. College, completing her AA.

During the war she worked at Bahn’s Jewelers. A lot of evenings were spent dancing with the soldiers of the 134th at the base waiting to head overseas. It was a fun time for a 22 year old. She then went to work at Ventura County Fire & Mutual, where she met and eventually married in 1951, the ‘one true love of her life’, William ‘Bub’ Basham. Their daughter Sherrie was born in 1954. When Bub died suddenly in 1958 she obtained her insurance license and maintained Basham Insurance Agency until 1960.

She married again in 1963 to Richard Horne, and sadly became a widow again in 1964. For the next 16 years she was administrative secretary for Ed Carr of Norris Oil Co.

In 1973, in a Greek Orthodox ceremony and with a well attended reception for over 200 people, Janice married Andrew Manjoras. In the early 80’s Janice and Andy opened Andrew’s Restaurant. When the restaurant closed Janice returned to work, for Arnold Hubbard, and retired upon his death.

The 90’s were spent traveling, often with Sherrie and her son Ryan. Favorite destinations were Hawaii and Palm Springs. A special memory of Janice’s was a cruise to the Greek Islands she and Andy took. In 2000 Janice became a widow again.

In 2001, Janice went back to work on a temporary basis for the California Strawberry Festival eventually becoming full time. She was 78. She always said it was a job made easier because of her work buddy, Sandy Montes-Cerna. For the next 12 years, up to the day of the accident, she worked.

She was an avid reader and genealogist, researching the White and Rogers families. A special connection was made with Lynn Bonfield, San Francisco, Ca., who researched the Rogers family, (although no relation), and sparked Janice’s interest with her book, “Roxanna’s Children”. A highlight was a trip Janice made with Sherrie back to Peacham, Vermont, where the Rogers came from. She was so pleased that her niece, Brianne Newell, continues the family genealogy research.

Family was everything to Janice. Thanksgiving was her big hurrah each year and Christmas a winter wonderland with over 300 Santas displayed. She remained very fond of her stepson, Bill Basham and family of Boise, Idaho. She loved the years of laughs and fun times with Bub’s nephews and their wives, Chris and Janice Smith, Garden Grove, Harold (deceased) and Janelle Smith, Simi Valley, and their families. She kept in touch with stepson Richard Horne, Oxnard, stepdaughter Cathy Horne Manley, McArthur, Ca. , ex-daughter-in-law Mary Manjoras, Letitz, Pa., Andy’s granddaughter Lisa Pauley, Sanford, Florida, and her family and Andy’s niece, Paula Manjoras, Long Island, N.Y., who came to visit ‘Aunt Janice’ often.

Extremely close to Janice were the ‘birthday lunch girls’, Yvonne Carr, Beverly Stiles, Marianne Shockley, Nancy Lindholm and Alice Einhorn. Many, many, years of good memories.

Janice is survived by her daughter; Sherrie Basham, Ventura, grandson; Ryan Dougan and great-granddaughter; Bailey Smith of Ojai, sister; Nancy Newell, Ventura, nephews and their wives; Roger and Susan Newell, daughters; Brianne Newell and April Newell, Camarillo, Michael and Debi Newell and daughter Kayla, Apex, N.C., niece; Cristi Newell, Ventura, (was very special to Janice and of much comfort during the last weeks), Richard Zamora, Ventura, long time friend and roommate for the last 9 years and her cat, Sadie. She was pre-deceased by her infant brother Dustin Kimball Rogers and stepson Steve Basham.

Mom, I have lost my champion and my best friend. Disneyland will never be the same. I know the pain is finally gone. I hope a martini is in your hand and Jake rests in your lap.

A Celebration of Janice’s Life will be held Saturday, August 31, 2013, at Trinity Luteran Church, 196 North Ashwood Avenue, Ventura, from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.. For information call 805 643-3418 or email fortiesgal@hotmail.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma vista road, Ventura.