Janet Skaar Pecora died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2002.

Janet was born on Jan. 21, 1934, the daughter of Genevieve and Carlyle Skaar of Hayward. She was baptized in the Hayward Lutheran Church on March 4, 1934. She attended local schools, and in 1956 graduated in the pioneer nursing class at St. Olaf College with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She worked as a registered nurse for many years in hospitals in Minnesota, Colorado, and California.

On Oct. 17, 1973, she and Robert Pecora were married in Muir Woods, outside San Francisco, Calif. They had one son, David. In 1978, they moved to Sacramento, Calif. Janet worked at the Greenhaven Country Place nursing home until her retirement.

She was still working a few days per month for the Red Cross when she became ill. Janet was a member of Greenhaven Lutheran Church and sang in the choir there for many years. She was an avid reader who enjoyed skiing, hiking, cooking, and working in her flower garden at the family mountain cabin. She enjoyed classical music and jazz, and had a special interest in sacred choral music.

Janet was originally diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982. Following a mastectomy, she was in good health until the cancer returned. She was very grateful to have enjoyed this 19 years of good health before her final illness.

On a trip to Norway, she visited an old stave church where her grandfather had been baptized. In wandering about the surrounding cemetery, she found a relative’s gravestone. Inscribed on the stone was a simple Norwegian phrase to which she could only say, &uot;Amen.&uot; It read, &uot;Takk for Alt,&uot; which in English means, &uot;Thanks for everything.&uot;

Janet is survived by her husband, Bob; son, David; mother, Genevieve Olson of Albert Lea; brothers: James and Chris Skaar and families of Hayward; sister, Julie Skaar Beaver and family of Poway, Calif.; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carlyle Skaar.

There will be a memorial service for Janet at Greenhaven Lutheran Church, in Sacramento, on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 11 a.m. The church is located at the intersection of Gloria Drive and Florin Road.

In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to make gifts of remembrance are invited to donate money to the charity of their choice.