Janelle Jean Risley O’Grady, of La Cañada Flintridge, California, passed away peacefully at home on July 8, 2020, surrounded by her loving family, at 73 years old. Janelle was born on June 30, 1947, in Corvallis, Oregon, to John and Dorothy (Larsen) Risley. Raised in Alsea, Oregon, she was the youngest of five children, and affectionately known as “Sis” by her siblings.
Janelle relocated to San Luis Obispo, California, with her parents and brother, Jerry, where she graduated from San Luis Obispo High School, and later from Fresno State University with a nursing degree. She and her college sweetheart, Jim O’Grady, then married and made their home in La Cañada Flintridge. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past February.
Janelle worked as a registered nurse at Glendale Adventist Hospital before starting a family, and later as an Administrative Assistant for the Religious Education Office at St. Bede the Venerable Church in La Cañada Flintridge as her children attended school.
An avid reader, Janelle enjoyed the pursuit of various pastimes throughout her life, such as traveling, sewing, and the collection of antiques (for which she had a remarkable eye and taste).
With a fierce love of her family, Janelle’s life passion above all else was the nurturing of her children and grandchildren, the complete dedication to their happiness, and the enrichment of the loving connections within. Equally extraordinary, was her selflessness, courage, and strength of spirit and will in the face of long adversity to her health.
Janelle is survived by her husband and soulmate, Jim, and their four children: Deborah (Jim) Nieters, of Scotts Valley, CA; Kristen (Matt) Crossett, of Silver Spring, MD; Bryan (Kate) O’Grady, of Santa Clarita, CA; and James “Chip” (Amanda) O’Grady, of Martinez, CA. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Emily, Lainey, Tommy, Ian, Emmett, Max, and Will; as well as her sister Jo (Gary) Haley, and brother Jerry (Jan) Risley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother John “Junior” Risley, and her sister Junette Zandofsky.
A memorial service will be scheduled in the near future. For those wishing to honor her life, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne’s Family Center of Los Angeles (www.stannes.org).
