Janie Matich

ANNA JANE “JANIE” MATICH

August 2, 1936 – March 6, 2024

Janie was born in the Lower East Side of the borough of Manhattan, in New York City, New York, to father Bernard Sherba and mother Anna Bajtelsmit. For years she joined her dear cousins in local Catholic church and cultural Polish and Slovak/Rusyn activities, camps, and choirs. At age 9, her father tragically died. Years later she, her mother, and her younger brothers, Raymond and Cassimiro, moved to Los Angeles, California, where Janie attended Los Angeles High School, graduating in 1954. There she excelled in her academics, in their Aquacade water ballet team, and in the community Deputy Auxiliary Police club as expert marksman, while working at a local drug store. After graduating, Janie worked for the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company. In September 1955, Janie married George Matich, and moved to Tujunga above the San Fernando Valley where they had a daughter, Danitsa, and a son, Stefan “Steve.” In 1970 they all moved north to Santa Rosa, California, continuing to support their children in their academics, music, theater, scouting, school, and careers. As a family, they delighted in many family vacations camping, fishing, and hiking in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Janie was main office secretary at Verdugo Hills High School in Los Angeles and coordinator of the Home and Hospital Program with Santa Rosa City Schools while she was working at their district office, retiring in 1997. Janie reveled in her huge gardens, canning and preserving, crocheting of all styles, raising special breeds of chickens, and mastering painting in all mediums, becoming an active member of Sonoma County's Artists' Round Table.

Janie is survived by: her daughter, Danitsa (Matich) Finch; her grandson, Ken Matich and wife, Alexandria; her granddaughter, Crystal (Matich) Gippe and husband, Curtis; her great-grandsons, Cashton, Colby, and Cade; plus her daughter-in-law, Virginia. Janie was predeceased by her parents; her husband, George; and her son, Steve.

The family would like to thank all her friends and the Kaiser medical staff who supported and helped her.

Private services will be held locally this month. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Janie's name to The Living Room Center, via their website, or call 707-579-0138, or send checks to 1207 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95401.

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