Janet Blakey passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, March 29, at St John’s Health Center, Santa Monica. She had recently celebrated her 85th birthday at home.
Born in London in 1938, Janet had many tales of growing up during WWII as a young child. She married her husband of 56 years, Bob, in 1957 and lived in the Ribble Valley, in the north west of England, for most of her life. She was a keen tennis and badminton player in her younger years, and later a reluctant bridge partner to her husband.
Janet moved to the Palisades in 2012 to be closer to her daughter, Gillian, also a Palisades resident. Janet embraced her new life in California and loved the sunny climate after 50 years of rain in Lancashire.
Through an early introduction to the local chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire, Janet became involved in frequent charity events and outings. Through DBE she made many great friends who were incredibly supportive as her health started to fail in recent years.
She enjoyed playing bowls at Holmby Park and, more recently, the occasional game of bocce at Palisades Recreation Center. Janet also loved painting and was an avid student at Santa Monica College art lessons.
She is survived by her three children, Gillian, Steven, and Nicholas, their spouses, and nine grandchildren. They will remember her for her many wonderful qualities, including her optimism, protective love and keen wit.
The family is planning a celebration of her life in the summer months with friends.
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