Janet Venor Thoreson

Janet was born in Seattle in the Roaring Twenties and died in the Internet Age. She grew up in Lake Ballinger, one of three daughters of Helen and Ashford Siegrist. She was the girl next door, Hollywood pretty and full of fun and laughter. But it was her strong faith that guided her through life. Her favorite hymn was "How Great Thou Art." She was naturally inquisitive and had aspired to be a journalist; she attended Western Washington University and was accepted into the U.W. journalism program in 1948. Even in casual conversation, she always seemed to have 20 questions for any companion, but especially someone she had just met -- or those she loved the most. Books were her passion; she read them by the stack. She used to say "I may be here, but I can be anywhere in a book." She also loved politics, leading lively family dinner conversations with her progressive viewpoints -- and one of her favorite places to visit was Washington, DC. Janet loved to swim and taught each of her children how to stay afloat in the strong currents of life. At the end of the day (in her earlier years), she enjoyed relaxing with a vodka and tonic with lime. She met husband Howard Sorensen at a wedding in 1948, and the couple married three months later on November 13. They raised a family -- three sons and a daughter (and two Great Danes) -- in Howard's native Fall City, where Howard's father, C. Elmer Sorensen, was a Ford dealer, from 1910 to 1949 (her favorite car was a light-green 1949 Ford convertible). Janet surrounded herself in purple, though turquoise was her color of choice for clothing. She loved Dahlias of all colors and sizes. Her favorite number was 13, the date of her wedding -- or "maybe because it's supposed to be unlucky and I'm contrary," she said before her passing, coincidentally on Friday the 13th. Her favorite songs were the tunes "that got us through" World War II, and she adored Frank Sinatra and Mario Lanza. She loved to cook, whether it be Nanaimo bars or her son Dane's salmon in puff pastry. Her favorite cuisine while dining out was Mexican. Janet could tell a story. She was brilliant at nailing the essence of a moment in life. Her timing, expressions and humor made the experiences all the sweeter and her observations all the funnier. At times, she couldn't even finish a story because she got so tickled with herself. Janet was a dedicated mother of four children. But she found ample time to work outside the home in public service. For 25 years she served as the head secretary at Snoqualmie Middle School, where she supervised staff, directed office procedures and served as a liaison among faculty, staff, parents and students. "I loved every minute of it," she said. She also coordinated the Neighbors in Need program, overseeing donations and helping to distribute food and household items to families in need in the Snoqualmie Valley. She was the director of public relations for the Fall City Passion Play for 13 years; her responsibilities included drafting press releases and serving as chief press contact for newspapers, TV and radio stations throughout the Seattle area; as well as serving as chief make-up artist, directing a crew of 10 in facial makeup, hair styling and "beard building." Her active involvement in the community included serving as president of the Federated Women's Club (which led to a campaign to fund the first community library in the Snoqualmie Valley in the 1960s). She also tutored students of all ages in remedial reading and worked in multiple roles as a relief, research and children's librarian in seven King County libraries. Janet was passionate about life. She was an avid, lifelong learner. She was a best friend to many and adored by her children. She cherished her grandchildren. Janet was kind. She loved God and she shared the assurance of her faith. She will be loved forever and missed beyond words. Janet is survived by four children -- Karl (Linda), Kris, Dane and Gretchen Sorensen (Gene Stout); and grandchildren Melissa Rizzs, Annie, Luke and Krista Sorensen -- and was preceded in death by her parents, sisters and husband Howard Sorensen. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 11 at the Fall City Methodist Church, followed by a celebration of life at the Fall City Roadhouse & Inn. Burial will be at the Fall City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Fall City United Methodist Church or the Wenatchee First United Methodist Church. For more information, please visit: www.telfordschapel.com

Janet Venor Thoreson

October 30, 1928 - July 13, 2012