Janel R. Olguin

Janel R. Olguin was born in Watsonville, CA on March 27, 1980. Janel spent her working years as a school Attendance Specialist at Rolling Hills Middle School. Janel attended McQuiddy School, E.A. Hall, Watsonville High and Renaissance High school where she graduated top of her class.

Our sweet Janel Olguin went home to be with the Lord at the age of 45 years, two days shy of her birthday.

Janel’s life was a beautiful story of resilience, love, fun, generosity, craziness, and adventure. All her memories will forever live in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

For those who knew Janel the best remembers her most for her big smile, that beautiful loud laugh, her humor, her faith and the way she used to light-up the room with her presence and obviously the right amount of sass. Janel loved helping all students, her co-workers and any person she met. She made any stranger feel like family; she always remember names or nicknames you and her knew about or didn’t.

Janel is survived by her husband, Luis Olguin, her fur babies Honey, Canelita and Sugar that passed away. R.I.P. Sugar. She was preceded in death by her grandma Rose Martinez and her uncle Michael Martinez. She is survived by her mom Rose Marie Martinez; her dad Ignacio “Nacho” Martinez; two sisters Jessica Garcia and Julissa Moreno; Aunt Teresa, Irene, Gloria and Uncle Martin. Nephews: Richie, Kaleb, Dominic, Chris, Elijah, Alexander, Adrian, Eazy. Nieces: Kaylee, Itzel, Yaretzi. Godchildren: Jacob C. James, Jacob D. Kaleb, Richie, Dominic, Kaylee, Jayden, Mia, Dalilah, Alexus and Jazlyn.

Janel was gifted with a prodigious memory, a fastidious tinkerer who loved working with her hands, she was a self-taught artist. Her passion was spending time with loved ones; she loved Point Lobos and walking next to the beach. Hiking all trails near and faraway too. She loved going to tailgate parties at the Oakland Coliseum. “Go Raiders” She laughed loud, talked and hackled everyone and anyone that she came across no matter what race, color or gender, no one was safe.

Nothing compares to her love of crafting, she loved making graduation money leis, birthday cards, origami folds that Luis used to help her with. She loved seeing the smile on the student that got any special gift that she handmade. Janel had a way to make everyone feel cared for and secure a simple “Hi”, “Hello”, “como estas” or she joked around, the students will open up to her. She was like a counselor to some students and co-workers. Every morning she had her regular late students to yell “Get to class”, “Don’t be late”, and the best one “Be a child of the Lord.”

Janel’s favorite quote was:

Don’t walk in front of me

I may not follow

Don’t walk behind me

I may not lead

Walk beside me

Just be my friend

Janel worked for Zunigas Bar & Grill, The Bagel Café, Bay Federal, Rio Tanning, Appliance Parts “APED” and Pajaro Valley Unified School District. She started at Calabasas Elementary then moved to the District office where she moved to Pajaro Valley High School. She applied for a new position as an Attendance Specialist for Rolling Hills Middle School which she loved every minute she was there.

Janel, thank you my love for being the best wife, friend and lover. You’re my sunshine on the cloudiest of days and I’m so grateful for every moment we share. How you make my heart sing, your love is my greatest treasure. In your heart, I’ve found my home. I’m eternally grateful. You were my partner, my love, my best friend. I appreciate you more than words can say. Thank you for being my rock and my constant source of strength. Thank you for your love. I’ll miss you. You’ll always be in our hearts, soul in the clouds, flowers and natural things in this world. You’ve made my life so much better, thank you for filling my heart with so much love and happiness. You’re my true love, my soulmate and my forever.

Janel like you used to say, “Be kind to those you love and to others as well, live life to its fullest.

Heaven has gained a beautiful soul. We welcome you to join us in remembering Janel’s life, laughter and love:

Friday, April 17, 2026, at 11 AM at Saint Patrick’s Church on 721 Main St., Watsonville, CA.

Followed by procession of crematory to Pajaro Valley Memorial Park.

Celebration of life will be at 35 Brows Valley Rd., Corralitos, CA from 3-8 PM.