Janeth Louise Seller, longtime Glen Ellen resident, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2008 after an illness. She was 71. Mrs. Seller is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, John A. Seller of Glen Ellen; her children Maureen Seller and her partner Martha Young of San Francisco, and Harry Seller and his fiancee Megan O’Hara of Sonoma; and by her brother Ben Northrup and his family, of Pacifica.
Services were held on Friday, May 2 at Duggan’s Mission Chapel, 525 West Napa St., Sonoma. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Pets Lifeline of Sonoma, PO Box 341, 19686 Eighth St. East, Sonoma, CA 95476 (www.petslifeline.org).
Jean Gavin Knox died at her home in Sonoma on April 25, 2008 after a short illness. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Bob; daughters Marianne of Los Angeles, Patra Knox Orr (son-in-law Tom); adored grandchildren Payton, 12, and Gavin 10; brother Bradley Gavin of Evergreen, Colo.; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial mass was held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church on Agua Caliente Road in Sonoma on Wednesday, April 30 at 11 a.m.
Born in Oak Park, Illinois in 1924, she was educated there and at Beloit College in Wisconsin. She moved to California in 1949 to continue her career in advertising, promotion and fashion. Jean and Bob moved from San Rafael to Sonoma in 1989 and she was an active resident of the Creekside Village community, St. Leo’s St. Vincent de Paul Society and Ladies Guild and the League for Historic Preservation.
Before moving to Sonoma from Marin County in 1989, she was active in Marin County organizations, president of the Marin Ballet Association, Youth in Arts program, San Rafael City Schools PTA Council and chairman of the Marin Center Advisory Commission and Marin County Schools Personnel Commission and board member of Laurel House at the Marin Art & Garden Center.
Jean had a delightful sense of humor and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Two of her classic quips were, “I am formerly the oldest and most inept Brownie leader” and “I have a positive attitude about doing nothing.”
Contributions may be made to the charity of your choice or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Leo’s Catholic Church, Sonoma. Arrangements under the direction of Duggan’s Mission Chapel and Mission Cremation Service, Sonoma.
