Beloved Community Figure Janie Thetford Passes Away at 73

Janie Carol Thetford, a cherished wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, at the age of 73. Surrounded by her loved ones, her departure marks the end of a life filled with warmth, compassion, and unwavering devotion to family and community.

A Life of Love and Service

Born on September 12, 1952, in San Pedro, California, Janie was a proud graduate of San Pedro High School, where she completed her studies in 1970. Soon after graduation, she married and began her family, creating a nurturing home that radiated love and laughter.

Janie’s greatest joy came from caring for those around her. She instilled a sense of kindness and respect for all living things in her three daughters: Sarah Elizabeth Wiley, Jodi Beth Gilbert, and Missy Jean Wilson. Her love for nature was evident in her daily rituals, as she took time to feed the squirrels and birds, sharing this passion with her family.

Legacy of Kindness

Janie’s family remembers her as a person who found peace in the smallest of creatures, a lesson she imparted to her daughters. Her bond with her pets, Willie the dog and Quinn the cat, exemplified her nurturing spirit. Janie is survived by her loving husband, Phil Max Thetford, and her beloved grandson, Stephen Wiley Wilson, who was often referred to as “the apple of her eye.”

She leaves behind a legacy defined by kindness and unconditional love. Those who had the privilege of knowing Janie carry her spirit with them, remembering the lessons she taught and the gentle way she interacted with the world.

A service to honor Janie’s life will take place on November 25, 2025, at 14:00 at Green Hills in San Pedro. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to the San Pedro Animal Shelter, a cause that was particularly meaningful to Janie.

Janie Carol Thetford’s memory will continue to inspire and comfort those whose lives she touched, a testament to her enduring spirit and the love she shared.