Janet Louise Nonemaker

Janet Nonemaker passed away peacefully March 16, 2024 at Cottage in the Meadow in Yakima, Washington surrounded by family after a year-long battle with lung cancer. Janet was born August 11, 1941 in San Diego, California to Charles and Laverna Burton. She grew up there, and graduated from Mission Bay High School. She talked so fondly of her childhood. She loved growing up near the beach and had many special girlfriends. One, a classmate since Jr High, still exchanged daily phone calls with Janet until the end.
Janet had a flair for life that matched her characteristic red hair. She had a passion to explore and travel, and even moved often in keeping with her life’s desire to explore new areas. Some locations she liked and some she did not, depending on the weather! After San Diego she lived briefly in Prescott, Arizona, then moved to the Yakima area with her parents in tow to finish raising her children. She missed the ocean and mild weather so she eventually moved to Sequim, Washington, which she truly loved. Janet had many careers in her life, but she was most proud of her career with US Bank in Sequim and Port Angeles. She worked herself up to Regional Manager and won several award trips, both International and Domestic. While in Sequim she made so many dear friends and discovered her love of traveling through the US with friends in their RVs. She loved that her boys and their families lived close by. While living in Sequim, Janet fostered her passion for swimming and spent countless hours swimming laps with grandchildren or a friend.
After her husband passed away, she wintered a few years in Borrego Springs California with her brother and his wife. It was there that she met her future husband, who took her to Central Oregon to live. She quickly learned that she did not like the cold winters, and they finally settled in Sun City West, Arizona to be near a dear friend. She lived in Sun City West for the past 11 years, where she made more special, close friends. Janet loved how easy it was to explore so many towns and cities not that far away. She attended all the social events that were offered. Happy hour, shopping, talking politics & investments, puzzles, fashion, musicals and partaking in fun parties were some of her favorites!
To know Janet is to know she loved to dance. She danced as a young girl and continued that passion throughout her life. We all have so many fond memories of her dancing up a storm at weddings, down the streets of New Orleans, at musical concerts, in Nashville, Memphis, Key West, Charleston, dance halls and in any living room. She and her daughter took a yearly trip that always included somewhere they could dance and hopefully find shrimp! Janet also liked to think she had a beautiful voice….she loved to sing. Her grandchildren have fond memories of Grandma singing at the top of her lungs, “Oh What a Beautiful Morning ” or “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” to wake them up for school. They loved to go Christmas caroling, with Grandma Janet front and center.
Janet was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain. She often hosted parties and get-togethers. And the grandkids talk longingly about her famous French toast. She had a huge heart and a beautiful warm smile that she shared easily and often with family and friends. Janet truly loved each and every one of them. When her time on earth was coming to an end, she carried herself with dignity, strength, and a heart full of love. She will be missed beyond words. Janet chose to be buried next to her parents at Terrace Heights Memorial Park in Yakima, WA.
Janet is survived by her sons Jim Barth (Diane) of Sequim, WA; Mark Adams (Teresa) of Port Angeles, WA; daughter Kimberly Graf (Richard) of Selah, WA; brother Clifford (Jan) Mowrey of Yakima, WA; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, and husbands, Ron Woods and Bob Nonemaker. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Donations can be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or any pet rescue.

“Life may not be the party we hoped for but while we’re here we should dance “