Janice Lorraine Rackerby

Janice Lorraine Rackerby, beloved wife, mother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at her home in Visalia, California on September 10, 2023. Janice, 90, had struggled with, and suffered complications from, Alzheimer's and diabetes for many years. Janice, better known as Jan to most, was born on June 22nd, 1933, in Modesto, CA. As the only child of Edith and Homer Michaud, Jan grew up in central California's San Joaquin Valley on the famous El Solyo Ranch near Vernalis. She was raised alongside her aunt Ruth almost as a couple of sisters. Jan attended Patterson High School, where she was co-editor of the school yearbook and also played basketball. Next, she attended the Highland School of Nursing in Oakland, CA, where she participated in the choir and received a Certificate of Registered Nursing. She went on to pursue a very long, productive nursing career. While at Highland, Jan also met her future husband, William J. Rackerby. They met at a mutual friend's wedding in Modesto, CA. Bill, fatally smitten by their initial meeting, set out on a 100 mile drive a short time later to ask Jan out on a date. Bill's persistence paid off because after a year of dating they ultimately got married in Modesto, CA, on June 16th, 1956. After marrying her beloved Bill, Janice lived in Yuba City, CA, , where they raised their family together and Jan enjoyed instructing vocational nursing students in the Yuba College nursing program for almost 30 years. After retiring, Jan and Bill moved to Paradise, CA to enjoy cool pines and peaceful living for almost eight years. Medical complications subsequently forced them to move into a senior community in Chico, CA. They ultimately relocated to Visalia, CA in 2019 to be closer to family. In June, 2023 Janice celebrated both her 90th birthday and a 67th wedding anniversary. Jan is survived by her husband Bill, two children, Jennifer Brooks (Mason) and Matt Rackerby (Julie), three grandkids, three great grandkids, as well as two step-grandkids, and four step-great grandkids. A memorial of her life will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023 between 1:00 and 2:00 pm at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia, CA 93277. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to an Alzheimer's prevention activity, research effort, or charity of their choosing in the name of Janice Rackerby.

Janice Lorraine Rackerby

June 22, 1933 - September 10, 2023