Janice Brennan
Janice Elaine Brennan, 55, died Wednesday, April 24.
She was born to June Oden and the late Edward ‘Jess’ Oden in Livermore.
Her family moved to Valley Home when she was young and she attended grammar school there until she moved on to Oakdale High School.
In 1978, she married the love of her life James Brennan of Oakdale and had three children. She lived in Oakdale for more than 40 years.
When not taking care of and rescuing animals, she spent her time joyously rounding the bases on the softball field or coaching and teaching others how to do so. Her most loved activities included her family. Together they enjoyed such things as camping, fishing, playing sports, antiquing, watching and attending Giants baseball games, and taking part in the family tradition of playing cards and other games. She loved her dogs Patti, Molly, and Danni.
Mrs. Brennan had a passion for education and spent 20 years as a Title I Teacher’s Aide in the Oakdale Joint Unified School District.
She will be remembered as a passionate woman who spoke her mind and spent her life caring deeply for many causes. She spent every second giving her family everything they could ever need with an emphasis on laughter, hope, strength and an uncompromising belief that anything is possible. She loved Christmas and spent every December working on the lights display at her house and in recent years helped Santa Claus directly by accepting and passing on letters to him from the children of Oakdale.
The family gives special thanks to all of the friends and family who helped during this difficult time.
She is survived by her husband, James Brennan; children, Jessica, Mary, and Alfred Brennan; mother, June Oden; siblings, Sandy, Bruce and Ralph Oden; niece, Kira Earhart; and many other family members and friends.
A Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 3 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oakdale. A memorial service and mass will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, also at St. Mary’s, with a gathering of family and friends to follow.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her name to St. Jude Medical Center, P.O. Box 4138, Fullerton, CA 92834.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
May 1, 2013
