Condolence: I have just learned of Janice Kelley's passing and must say I was not aware she was ill and she may have wanted it that way. I am a substitute teacher in the district and in my brief moments of seeing Ms. Kelley, I gained something very positive. I am not a very athletic person per se but learned early on that I enjoyed substituting in the various PE departments. I once told Ms. Kelley when substituting there, that while I was not athletic, I was able to keep the students on task. That seemed to be important to her and had contacted me to substitute for her which I was always happy to do. There will be a large void in athletics around the area and at Hemet High School. My condolences to the family.

Condolence: It is with a heavy heart that I find myself leaving condolences for someone who was "quietly" larger than life. Janice was a friend, fellow athlete, an anchor & source of balance for HHS Track & Field. I wish I could be there for my dear friend Kathy to share the numerous memories that will keep her sister alive in our hearts forever. Much love and light to a family I hold dear. May you find a measure of peace in knowing Janice left a measureable mark with so many family, friends and with the Community.

Condolence: It is with great sadness and the feeling of unparraelled loss to know that Janice is no longer with us. Janice was a tremendous educator, coach and more importantly person. Janice set the standards for all coaches of any sport with her unwavering dedication and optimism of every young person that fell under her charge. It was an honor to teach and coach with her over the years at Hemet High School. Janice will be missed but always remembered. May God's blessings, peace and comfort be with her family and friends at this sorrowful time. And may we all remember how we all became better people for having known her.

Condolence: OMG! What a huge loss to the Hemet Valley and to the teaching profession. I have known Janice since the 1980's and taught with her many years at Ramona Elementary School. She lived what she taught: sportsmanship, commitment to doing your best, honesty, respect, caring, and fitness. When I talked with her last year, she still looked like the picture of health. I can tell that even to her death, Janice maintained her positive attitude and personal fitness. In less than a month, Hemet has lost Janice and three wonderful Hemet graduates: Andrew McKelvey, Matt Pusateri, and Jeff Willey. It was my pleasure to watch those three boys grow into outstanding young men. May God bless and strengthen their families who remain.

Condolence: The night cousin Janice apparently moved on, I was driving home from church, listening to the radio, when I heard an angel message. I turned the radio off and felt a warmth pass over me as I heard the words, “Janice is with God. She is in His care, just as she always has been.” And on the heels of that angel message were God’s words from Isaiah 45:11, “Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.” From this passage, I garnered that I needed to turn to God to truly know what was going in with the work of God's hands, I had come to know as, Janice. I stayed with those ideas for some time and was lead to consider the qualities of God she shared so effortlessly with me.

 

Her love of country music and line dancing easily became loves of mine when she introduced them to me years ago. Her enthusiasm for movement, combined with fun, expressed in an individual manner spoke to me. 


Speaking of movement, it’s no secret that Janice also loved to run! When she came to visit us in Boston in order to run the 100th Boston marathon, I’m not sure I truly understand the dedication and metaphysical work that bolstered her forward movement. I remember she went out to run one day in preparation, and she invited me. I made it to the end of our block and was huffing and puffing. I’d made it a good eighth of a mile! ;-) Again, her enthusiasm and joy at expressing endurance, strength, vitality, and movement stayed with me, and by the time I was out of high school, I found myself going on longer runs, eventually working my way up to running a few half marathons.

 

Having been raised on an orchard, having a sister and brother with their own orchards, and then eventually taking over the family orchard in Hemet, Janice loved fruit; and it was a natural part of her morning meal (and pretty much every meal). I can recall the morning I sat in her home at her living room table, eating my cereal, when she suggested we put some dried fruit therein. Willing to follow her example, I tried it. Cereal would never be the same! This morning, I put dried fruit in my cereal.

 

Her love of the outdoors and new adventures has impacted me in my desire to be outdoors, silently listening to and basking in, the beauty before me. There is not a time when I’m hiking outdoors or beneath the shade of a tent, that I don’t find myself thinking of her and a sweet camping trip we took, just the two of us, on one of our voyages back to Hemet, California after visiting her brother and sister in Weiser, Idaho.

 

Honestly, I have yet to adopt her voracious love of reading. Janice loved to tell me of the newest book or series she was intent on reading; and I remember staying in a guest room of hers whose walls were painted with books. I suspect someday, I may pick up one of those recommended reads and with an appetite insatiable, imbibe the words … my eyes eagerly dancing, moving across the pages.

 

The purity of the love Janice expressed, and the desire to constantly learn more, along with her genuine selflessness, undoubtedly moved her forward in this experience.

 

Indeed, if I were to describe the sweet qualities she so effortlessly shared with me in one word, it would be MOVEMENT!

 

Janice was consistently, and still is, undeniably moving forward; and I am ever grateful for her selfless example and impactful leadership! She is, as she has always been, in God's care. Dear sweet Janice, run in peace!

Condolence: I will miss Janice's tireless positive energy around the Hemet High campus... seeing her run past my house with her students... and the peaches that I looked forward to every fall. To her family, please know that she touched many with her love of life.

Condolence: Janice was the best friend anyone could ever have. She was a quality person. And the hardest worker I've ever met in every aspect of her life. My life has been changed because of Janet, and I will always be very grateful for that gift.

Condolence: I'm so sorry to hear of Coach Kelley's passing. I will always be so grateful to her for seeing the potential in my son and guiding him into throwing discus.... which caused him to attend RCC and throw for their track team. She will be missed.

Condolence: I am saddened to her of Jans passing. I worked with her in the district till 98 and then moved on. She was a great coach and loved by many.
God Bless and Prayer to the family.

Condolence: You touched so many young lives; two of my sons were coached by you at Hemet High. It is safe to say neither Cpl Chris Foster nor his brother Cody Canepa would be the runners they are today without your guidance. Run in Peace Coach.

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.