Obituary

Velma “Janet” Moore (Williams)

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Velma “Janet” Moore on March 6, 2025.  Janet was a devoted wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, proud great-grandmother and a good friend.

Velma Janet Williams was born in Missouri on November 15, 1934. She moved to Lansing, MI when she was in elementary school.  On Christiansen Road she met her new friend, Lois and Lois’ annoying brother, Wayne.  She was 10 years old, and it was not long before that bothersome brother became her first love. After a few years of dating, Janet threatened to move to California without him unless Wayne agreed to marry her.  He quickly agreed and Wayne and Janet  moved to a small apartment in Belmont Shores, California.  One of their fondest memories is visiting Disneyland with $5 and enjoying popcorn while walking down Main Street, USA.  Janet was 21 and Wayne 19.  Soon they were blessed with two daughters Rhonda and Lynnette.

Janet grew up in poverty, but she was a hard worker, strong-willed, and determined woman.  Common catch phrases she lived by were; “Buck Up”, “Use a Little Elbow Grease”, and “There’s no free Lunch”.  She was a force!  As an adult she worked hard to help provide a stable living situation and food on the table for her kids.  Not until later in life, did her daughters recognize her powerful, no-nonsense wisdom and support as guidance through difficult times.  She taught them to spend less, save more, and work for things they want.  She also spoke in idioms & metaphors…thick as thieves, birds of a feather flock together, she was a fish out of water, raining cats and dogs, beating around the bush, etc.  She loved to keep Wayne on his toes and he specialized in trying to tease her out of a cross mood.  They had a unique understanding of each other and were truly in love.

When her children were young, Janet landed a job at Mercury Savings and Loan as a secretary in the office of construction loans.  She worked hard and loved the social aspects of her work. Janet loved shopping at Huntington Center and enjoyed lunches and happy hours with the girls, where she was known to enjoy a fuzzy navel.  Janet and Wayne worked hard so that their daughters could have a better life than they did.  Janet loved to tell the story about the day she left work on her lunch hour and put a downpayment on a house because she didn’t want her daughters growing up in an apartment.

These were the days of her small cocktail parties.  Wayne tolerated the cocktail parties.  On such occasions, she wore a maroon, flare-legged, zip-up-the-front, wide-collared jumpsuit; some said she looked like a movie star.  Janet  was always a social butterfly.  She was quick-witted and always had a funny come back.  She loved a good prank (if she was the prankster).  Janet found joy in her friends and had an endless thirst for knowledge.

Janet constantly sought to learn new things and travel to new places.  She took up sewing, embroidery, crocheting, quilting and calligraphy.  She took classes in California History at the community college and obtained her real estate license.  Her commitment to correct spelling was borderline intense.  She was a voracious reader and started her own book club.  She loved keno, card games, and Mexican Train.  She traveled extensively with Wayne and their grandson Kyle, the Red Hats, and their daughter Rhonda.

As a grandmother she simply went by Nana. Nana taught her girls songs that they passed on to their kids – specifically “Mairzy Doats”, “You are my Sunshine”, and “Pony Boy”. Nana and Papa (Wayne) helped to raise their grandson Kyle. She was famous for warming the wipes before changing Kyle’s diaper.  She loved their four grandchildren; Michelle, Kyle, KT, and Jane.  And recently was thrilled to meet Michelle’s son, her great grandson, Emilio Wayne.  She bought most of their clothing and toys.  She showered them with  gifts, praise and affection.  Nana and Papa never showed up without clothing, a gift, and cake!  She ALWAYS made sure to show up with cake and ice cream.

Janet is survived by her husband Wayne, her daughters Rhonda Hatch and Lynnette (Edward) Resnick, grandchildren Michelle, Kyle, KT, and Jane and her great grandson Emilio.  She will be missed and live in their hearts forever.