Remembering Janis Gay: a life of resilience, grace and dedication to education
Remembering Janis Gay: a life of resilience, grace and dedication to education
By Zoë Edelen Hare
Editor’s Note (Tim Carl): Janis Gay, a revered sixth-grade teacher at St. Helena’s Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School, played a pivotal role in shaping young minds at the cusp of adolescence and left an indelible mark on her students, including me. As one of the editors at Napa Valley Features, I reflect on the profound impact Ms. Gay had on my life and the lives of countless others. She introduced us to the enchanting world of Greek mythology, unveiling the power of storytelling in a way that transformed our understanding of the world. Her balanced approach, merging a sense of humor with a serious dedication to academics, was a beacon during our formative years. She exemplified how life's wonderful mysteries could coexist with the pursuit of scientific knowledge, inspiring us to explore, discover and marvel at the universe. Her teaching went beyond mere curriculum; it was a journey into the realms of curiosity and reflection, revealing them as superpowers for a fulfilling life. As we prepare a more detailed tribute to her remarkable life and legacy, it is clear that Ms. Gay's kindness, intellectual rigor, and deep reverence for a universe full of wonder and awe will be deeply missed. Her legacy, a testament to the transformative power of great teaching, will continue to resonate through the lives she touched, including my own.
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — When Janis Gay asked us to write her obituary a couple of months before she passed, we joked about the irony of our sixth-grade English teacher giving the final marks on her own testimonial. She swore that there would be “no red pen,” and of course that would be true. She was always one to lift up rather than tear down, one of her many legacies.
On the afternoon of Nov. 29, Janis Marie Gay was set free after suffering from a chronic illness. Born in Sacramento, California, on June 19, 1947, Janis was a third-generation Northern Californian and also very proud of her Irish roots. She often told stories of growing up in "Sacto," as she lovingly called it, with her brother Stephen and parents, Laverne and Arthur. In 1970, she graduated from UC Berkeley and then earned her teaching degree from Cal State Hayward in 1971. She continued her education, studying literature at Wooster College, Oxford University and in Greece.
Ms. Gay lived in the community of St. Helena for most of her life. For nearly 30 years, she taught sixth grade at RLS (Robert Louis Stevenson) and was a beloved language arts teacher, volleyball coach and photography/yearbook adviser, among a variety of other hats. Many St. Helena graduates still have fond memories of Ms. Gay's weekly Friday lessons, where she would captivate her students with tales from Greek mythology, making them all come to life. She was one of those rare teachers who could speak “middle school” naturally. In 1995, she won the Golden Bell Award for Language Arts and in 1998 was honored with the Napa County Schoolmaster Award (and joked that they should change the name of that last one).
Ms. Gay dearly loved the St. Helena community, which became her extended family. You could often find her tutoring students at the local library or playing bocce ball at Crane Park. She also gave back to the larger community by serving on the board of directors for Murder Victims' Families for Reconciliation and was the liaison for California Crime Victims for an Alternative to the Death Penalty. The decision to work tirelessly on their behalf stemmed from her own family history and her deep belief in the power of forgiveness. She wasn’t one to shy away from bold conversations, and to have her in your corner meant she had your back, always.
Her friends and family felt that fierce love throughout the years, and their bond was inseparable. She was honest, passionate, wickedly funny and a natural storyteller. She was also an avid traveler who loved to learn from different cultures, then share those experiences with others, always with a smile and pizzazz that made life full of hope and wonder but also sassy and fun at the same time. She was a devoted friend, aunt, sister, poet, second mother and mentor. She is now at peace, and we miss her dearly.
Ms. Gay was predeceased by her parents, Laverne and Arthur Gay, as well as her dear brother, Stephen Gay. She is survived by her nephew, Morgan Gay, and his wife, Suzanne, and grand-niece, Ruth; nephew Sean Gay; cousin, John Rengel; and sister-in-law Robin Trainor. She is also survived by the two women she helped raise, Amy Edelen and Zoe Edelen Hare. She wished to express heartfelt gratitude to the dear friends who cared for her so lovingly in her final months.
If you would like to honor Ms. Gay, please consider a donation to an organization that works to end violence. Her ashes will be scattered on the “Poompah” (Umpqua River) and other beautiful places she loved. A celebration of life will be planned for a future date, most likely in the spring or summer.
Having moved to St. Helena only in 2000 and without any children, obviously deprived us of getting to know this woman who sounds like an extraordinary human being and teacher. If she had any influence in raising Amy Edelen she has my congratulations as we adore Amy and admire her spunk and spirit. Thank you for a captivating obituary.
Rest in peace, Janis. Such hard news to hear. As a fellow retired RLS teacher, I love it that you had a hand in writing your own obituary. Your keen wit always brought a note of humor to any situation.