Staff Report
Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend Nancy Janess passed away on October 20, 2024, surrounded by family. She was 83. Despite battling cancer for over two and a half years, Nancy maintained a positive attitude and was determined to do as much as she could as long as she could – and she did!
Nancy’s story began in Englewood, New Jersey, on June 3, 1941. She was welcomed by her parents, Thelma and George Kingswood, and her sister, Shirley. Not long thereafter, the family moved to Southern California. As a girl, she developed a lifelong love for music, books, gardening, and cats.
Nancy was a talented musician who played flute and piccolo. She was a member of the West Valley Robin Hood Youth Band. This accomplished band performed all over Southern California, including opening day at Disneyland in 1955, the Hollywood Bowl, marching in the 1957 and 1958 Pasadena Rose Parade, and a 27-day concert tour of cities along the West Coast. The band even released an album. An excellent student, Nancy graduated early from Reseda High School.
While in high school, Nancy met Bill Janess, and a romance developed. Nancy and Bill were married on April 18, 1959. Life changed for the young couple when Bill was drafted into the Army in 1961. Their first child, Teresa, was born while Bill was stationed at Fort Rucker, AL, and two years later, their son, Mike, was born at Fort Huachuca, AZ. During Bill’s one-year deployment to Vietnam, Nancy stayed with family in California and worked at North American Rocketdyne. After the military, the family settled in Chatsworth, CA. Bill worked at Clem Ruh Chevrolet, and Nancy worked at Deluxe Check Printers while raising their little family.
Bill’s love of car sales determined the next chapters of Nancy’s life. After the birth of their daughter, Katherine, the family moved to Stockton, where Bill was sales manager for Stockton Dodge for five years. While in Stockton, their youngest child, Greg, was born. When Bill received the opportunity to purchase a Chevrolet dealership in Nevada, the family made the big move to Fallon in 1974.
This time in Nancy’s life was incredibly busy. In addition to raising four active children, Nancy worked at the dealership as the insurance and finance manager. Bill and Nancy became part owners of the Fallon Theatre and Roper Drive-In. Nancy attended WNCC and earned multiple Associate Degrees along with insurance and real estate licenses. Nancy made time for church activities and various community clubs.
Life sent Nancy a plot twist when, due to economic circumstances, the dealership closed. Never one to feel sorry for herself, Nancy enrolled at UNR and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1999. At the same time, she began working with the State of Nevada, commuting to state offices in Carson City and later in Reno. She was glad to receive a position in Fallon at the Nevada Mental Health Clinic, where she worked until her retirement.
Encouraged by friends, Nancy pursued another life goal. A member of the Episcopal Church since she was 11, she was ordained as a deacon in 2003, becoming the Reverend Nancy Janess. She loved serving others, and her church family was a big part of her life.
Sadly, the love of her life, Bill, passed away in 2010. They were married for over 51 wonderful years. Together, they loved watching their grandchildren grow and taking long road trips.
In addition to her husband, Nancy was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law, Charles and Eileen Janess; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Bob Cathey; son-in-law, John Tschopp; and granddaughter, Nanci RachelAnn Shaw.
Nancy is survived by her four children: Teresa Shaw, Mike Janess, Katherine Tschopp, and Greg Janess, whom she felt were her greatest accomplishments. Other family members who will miss her dearly are her children-in-law, Lawson Shaw, Ginny Janess, and Melissa Potter; six grandchildren: Keri (Mark) Rody, Crystal (Aaron) Brady, Brandon (Ashley) Shaw, Jillian (Billy) Thompson, Katie Shaw, and Caleb Shaw; ten great-grandchildren; grand-nephew, Edward Shaw; brother-in-law, Don (Sharon) Janess; sister-in-law, Charleen Roesch; as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Memorial Service for Nancy will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 1 p.m. at The Gardens, 2949 Austin Hwy. in Fallon. Friends of Nancy are invited to attend and celebrate the life of this remarkable lady.
In memory of Nancy’s devotion to animals, especially cats, donations may be made to Fallon Animal Welfare Group (FAWG) or Churchill Animal Protection Society (CAPS).
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