Janet Elaine Barbic

Janet Elaine Daugert Barbic was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 9, 1941, to Bernard and Grace Daugert. She entered into the kingdom of heaven on July 31, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends. Janet was proceeded in death by her parents, brother Larry and sister Karen Patouhas. She leaves behind her daughter, Kacey Horvath Riordan (husband Vince), her cousin, Marilyn Durst, her niece, Maria Dedes and her great niece and nephew Pamela and Christopher Dedes.

During her life, one of Janet’s proudest accomplishments was being elected to the homecoming court her senior year in high school. Janet went on to study nursing but was not permitted to continue due to her epilepsy diagnosis. However, she recalled a lot from her nurses training and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need at her nursing home decades later.

Janet also worked for Clerk of Courts in Cleveland, Ohio as a stenographer and continued using her shorthand later in life. While she did not practice professionally, Janet also enjoyed ballet dancing and was featured in the court magazine in various ballet poses.

Janet married Bill Barbic in 1967, and soon after moved with him to San Diego, California. After her divorce, she continued to live in San Diego and moved into Guadalupe Plaza with her sister, Karen. They had a close connection and enjoyed having Mexican dinners at Casa De Pica restaurant. Janet became an active member of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church. She was a devoted Catholic her entire life. Her religion and prayer life was very important to her. She prayed for everyone!

Janet suffered from several mental illnesses including schizophrenia and paranoia, and in 2006, she could no longer live on her own. Her niece then moved Janet into Caluya Board and Care Facility where she lived for almost 10 years and made many friends including her best friend, Kristi Davis.

In 2015, after fracturing her hip and undergoing surgery, Μaria relocated Janet to Vermont Healthcare Center in Torrance, California to be closer to her. There she met her boyfriend, Michael Huddleston, who proceeded her in death by 2 years. She made many friends at VHC including Emma whose mother was her roommate, Lawonda Lancaster and nurse Raquel Echon who loved her very much.

Janet enjoyed visiting with Maria and her children playing Yahtzee and Gin Rummy which she would usually win! She also enjoyed dinners with Bonni Carayiannis and Nell Fike when they travelled in from Cleveland.

After being diagnosed with jaw cancer in 2024, Janet fought and won the battle! However, the treatments left her immobile and with some challenging gastric issues which ultimately ended her life as a result of complications after undergoing an invasive intestinal surgery.

The high point of Janet’s life was finally being able to reunite with her daughter, Kacey, for the first time in 2024 after giving her up for adoption in 1965.

A small private celebration of Janet’s life will take place on what would have been her 84th birthday, November 9, 2025. Janet will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Mausoleum in San Diego, California. Donations can be made in her name to the following charities.

https://www.nativitytorrance.org/donate

https://www.cityofhope.org/giving

https://www.nami.org/get-involved/donate-to-nami/