Janet Aileen Aust

Janet Aust led a life dedicated to family and to close friendships. That life ended on July 11, 2015 after a 10-month battle with ovarian cancer, which followed two bouts with breast cancer. She was only a few weeks from celebrating her 78th birthday in August.

Born Janet Aileen Shupe in Fresno California, the daughter of Marvin and Mabel Shupe and sister of Patricia (Shupe) Masters, she spent her childhood in Richmond California where her parents had worked in the ship yards during the war. Shortly after starting high school, she and her parents moved to Calaveras County where she attended Brett Harte High School in Angels Camp. There she was active in school, graduating in 1955 as class Salutatorian.

At 21 she married Allen Lamont Aust and started on their life together. From the Bay Area they moved to Sacramento in the early 60’s then to Newcastle in early 1968 where they would establish roots that would last the rest of their lives. Over 47 years she and Allen raised three sons, Michael, Chris, and Brian, and received two grandchildren, Lauren and Landen -- children of Chris and Rebecca --both now 7 years old. Following Allen’s death in 2010 she continued to live in the family home independently and actively; even mowing their 3+ acres of pasture on her riding lawn mower and tending to her garden.

Janet loved family, music, food, travel, and spirited conversation to list just a few. Conservative by nature, she placed a high value on integrity, self-sufficiency, and personal responsibility; though all with a compassion for others. Following her father’s early work, she continued his quest to discover and catalog the family’s genealogy to early New England and amassed a legacy of information for her decedents to enjoy. Of her many fine qualities, the ones that guided her most were her intense curiosity and her unwavering memory which were a perfect match for the arrival of personal computing and the internet. Uncommon for her generation, she quickly adopted computing technology in the early 90’s and never looked back. Her iPad was her constant companion. Friends and family could always find her through email and texting. She spent many hours visiting with her grandchildren through video chats.

Janet held multiple jobs during her life; wife, mother, book keeper, business owner. Never the headliner, but always the foundation; touching many lives along the way. Successful daughter, loving and faithful wife, loving mother and grandmother, caring and loyal friend. She made a difference in, and touched, many lives. When asked to find one word to describe Janet Aust, so many say “strong”.

Janet was preceded in death by her beloved husband Allen Lamont Aust. She is survived by immediate family members including her sister, Patricia Masters and her husband Don of Auburn, CA; her son Brian and his wife Dee of Redmond, WA; her son Christopher and his wife Rebecca and their two children Landen and Lauren of Alamo, CA; her son Michael and his partner James Wevley of San Francisco, CA. She is also survived by numerous loving cousins from both her Barton and Shupe ancestry.

A graveside service will be held at the Newcastle cemetery on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow at The Ridge in Auburn, CA. Flowers or other remembrances may be sent to:

Chapel of the Hills

1331 Lincoln Way

Auburn, CA 95603

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial contribution to:

Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital Foundation

(In Support of the Infusion Therapy Center)

11815 Education Street

Auburn, CA 95602