Janice Elaine Dean

Janice Elaine Dean, 58, of Sonoma, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.

Jan was the youngest of four children, born to the late Joseph A. and Elaine D. Jacob. She was born in Greenbrae, on April 28, 1955. She graduated from Novato High School in 1973 and received a BA in early childhood education from CSU-Chico in 1977.

She married William Dean on April 5, 1980, in Chico. They then made their home in Sonoma.

Jan’s passion in life was education and caring for children. She was a loving aunt to Lisa, Erin, Stephen and Paul; and a great-aunt to Tyler, Bryson and Everett. She enjoyed camping, gardening and cooking. She was an excellent baker, always providing breads and cookies to friends and family at Christmas.

Jan was chairperson of the El Verano School Halloween Carnival for several years. She was also a team mom for the Valley of the Moon Little League.

Jan is survived by her husband, William Dean, of Fairfield; son, Brandon Dean; sister, Susan Bequette; and brother, Russell Jacob, all of Chico; and her brother, Stephen Jacob, of San Diego. She also leaves behind her life-long friend Deanna Hansen of Sonoma.

It was Jan’s wish to have a simple family gathering to celebrate her life. The family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society for lung cancer research.

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