Janlene Escano Lim

Janlene Escano Lim passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 31 in Mira Mesa, California at the age of 37. She is survived by her parents, Jessie and Jesus, brother, Justin, sister-in-law, Georjette, and furry son, Rufus.

Born on January 26,1987 and raised during the 1990s, Janlene embodied the spirit of that decade—a time of music, dial-up internet, and boundless curiosity about the rapidly changing world. As a child of the 90s, Janlene cherished long summer days spent playing outside with her brother and friends, playing video games like NBA Jam and Goldeneye 007, watching shows like The Simpsons and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and collecting everything from Tamagotchis to Pokémon cards.

She carried these memories and the lessons of that time—adaptability, a love for creativity, and the power of connection—into adulthood.

Janlene was an accomplished baker and chef in San Diego. She was known for her creativity and dedication in the kitchen, having spent several years crafting artisan pastries and leading kitchen teams. In her career, she took on several roles, most notably as a baker and R&D sous chef of a doughnut shop. Janlene was also a talented private chef, having served high profile clients, including Grammy award winning artist Alicia Keys.

Beyond working in the culinary industry, Janlene loved exploring San Diego's food scene, dancing to early '90s hip-hop music, and rooting on the LA Lakers. Janlene was a one-of-a-kind friend who always made those around her feel special.

Memorial viewings will be hosted on Monday, September 9 from 2-8pm and Tuesday, September 10 from 4-8pm at El Camino Memorial. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 12 at 10am at Good Shepherd Parish.

The family appreciates the outpouring of support from those who loved Janlene. Any and all donations can be sent to Justin Lim's Venmo: JLimSD.