Janet Keane Panichi

Janet Keane Panichi

May 09, 1943 - December 25, 2021

Janet Keane Panichi

May 09, 1943 - December 25, 2021

Obituary

Janet Keane Panichi

May 9, 1943 – December 25, 2021

Janet Keane Panichi, an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, educator, counselor, entrepreneur, volunteer, and dear friend, entered into glory early Christmas morning 2021 in her home after succumbing to complications of B-Cell Lymphoma of the brain. After learning of her diagnosis some two-months earlier, Janet valiantly chose to return to her home in Laguna Hills, CA for hospice care so she could save her strength to say goodbye to her closest family and friends – one last gift from one of the most giving of people.

Janet was born in New York on May 9, 1943, to John Joseph Keane and the former Mary Rose Donahue. She grew up in Queens, NY and attended Queens College where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English in 1964 and a master’s degree in History in 1972. In between her academic pursuits, Janet became a high school teacher to underprivileged children in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community in Brooklyn, NY. In December 1960, Janet met the love of her life, Joseph Patrick Panichi.

In college, Janet was a member of the Delta Gamma sorority when she and Joe met at a Christmas caroling event in December 1960 – they quickly fell in love, leading to their marriage on May 1, 1965. They had three children Chris (55), Keri (53), and Aly (RIP 2015) with whom they shared the gift of multi-culturalism as they traveled the world together extensively. The family lived for many years overseas in the Middle East and North Africa before repatriating back to the United States in 1970’s. Joe and Janet shared family homes together in New York, New Jersey, Texas and eventually moving to south Orange County, California in 1986, where Joe, a longtime senior corporate executive at Fluor Corporation, unexpectantly entered into glory in 1994 – Janet never remarried stating that she experienced “more than enough love with Joe to last a lifetime.” Janet will be interred next to Joe in their family plot at Ascension Cemetery in Lake Forest, CA.

Janet was an avid tennis player, a small business owner of a popular women’s fashion boutique (Clothes Quarters) in Texas and built a prosperous career in real estate at Coldwell Banker where she was widely recognized as one of the most successful Realtors in Orange County, receiving dozens of professional awards over the years. Perhaps Janet’s greatest interest was serving her church community and helping others. While living in Texas, Janet became a social worker and counselor to troubled teens in Houston. Throughout her life, she was quick to volunteer for innumerable good causes including Providence Mission Hospital’s Spiritual Care Ministry, Laguna Niguel’s Emergency Preparedness Program, Habitat for Humanity, and many of the initiatives and ministries of St. Timothy Catholic Parish, where she was a member for 35 years.

“Janet was a Renaissance woman in her own right and will be remembered as one of the most caring, generous people of her generation,” her family wrote. “Her presence, wit and love will be greatly missed.”

Janet has joined her husband, Joseph Panichi, daughter, Alysun Panichi, brother Kevin Keane, and sister Karen Mariani in Heaven. She is survived by two children, Christopher Joseph Panichi (and his wife Genie Panichi) of Dallas, TX / Naples, FL, Kerine Panichi Flint of Sherman Oaks, CA; her dear sister, Maureen Keane of Georgetown, TX; six grandchildren, CJ Panichi (and wife Jessica) of New Braunfels, TX, Kate Panichi of Aliso Viejo, CA, Michael Panichi of Aliso Viejo, CA, Braydon Kaupke of Naples, FL, Emma Flint of Sherman Oaks, CA, and Cameron Flint of Sherman Oaks, CA. She is also survived by five nephews, Sean Maguire of Cibolo, TX, Jason Mariani of Ojai, CA, Neil Tucker of East Rockaway, NY, Jerry Follano of Port St. Lucie, FL and John Follano of Fort Pierce, FL. Janet also leaves behind two beloved nieces, Marguerite O’Connor of Wilton, CT, and Maria “Theresa” Rosa of Boynton Beach, FL, as well as brothers-in-law Roger Mariani of Whitestone, NY, Jerry Granozio of East Hampton, NY, and Joe Tucker of Oceanside, NY and a special sister-in-law, Marguerite Tucker of Oceanside, NY.

A funeral Mass, reception, and Rite of Committal will be held on January 8, 2022,
at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel, CA beginning at 10am.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the following charities in our Mom’s name:

St. Timothy Catholic Church- please name “Other” and indicate St Vincent De Paul Society. St Tim’s works with this charity to support year long financial assistance needs regardless of faith, race or culture. Click the “DONATE” button on the home page.
https://www.st-timsrc.org/

St Timothy Catholic Church- please select the Food Pantry- something our Mom valued and volunteered her time to serve.  Click the “DONATE” button on the home page.
https://www.st-timsrc.org/

Habitat for Humanity- Mom volunteered here through the years and felt such joy seeing families move into their new homes that the teams had just built.
https://www.habitat.org/support/honor-memorial-gifts

 

Funeral Mass

  • Date & Time: January 8, 2022 (10:00 AM)
  • Venue: St. Timothy Catholic Church
  • Location: 29102 Crown Valley Parkway Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 249-4091

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30 responses to Janet Keane Panichi

  1. THOMAS S MILLER

  2. My dearest Janet was a truly radiant soul lit from within. She had such enthusiasm for life and connected with everyone she met. She lived life joyfully and was such a kind and giving spirit. What a gift she was to all of us who were fortunate to know and love her. We are sad to have lost her, but the bond of deep affection will never fade.

  3. Our Dearest Janet. You are to the world what John Madden was to football. Everybody that you came in contact with was blessed with your kindness. You have been an example of how we all should be. You will be missed immensely but never forgotten. Love to you and all the family. God got a good one this time.

  4. I knew Janet as a fellow real estate agent as well as a neighbor. I came to know her much better while she served as President of our HOA. She was always so kind and offered to help me in October when my sister and her brother had both passed away. Little did I know that she would not be with us much longer. My deepest sympathy to her family. You will miss her but she will live on in your head and heart forever until you are together again.

    1. Aunt Janet, A Very Special Person who’s Love and Kindness was second to none!! You truly will be missed by all !!

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