Janet Parks

Long time Pacific Grove resident, Janet May Ballou Parks, died on November 15, 2023 while surrounded by her loving family. Jan was born in 1925 in “upstate” New York. Jan, and her husband Harold “Boats” Parks, moved to Pacific Grove in 1962.

A veteran of the “WAVES”, Jan believed strongly in service to the community. She worked on the Board of the YWCA, was a founding member of the Chatauqua Hall preservation society, served as a Docent at the Maritime Museum, served on the Women’s Civic Club, with the veterans council, and most recently was the President of the Central Coast Veterans Cemetery Foundation.

A keen genealogist, Jan was also hugely active in the Commodore Sloat Chapter of the DAR, serving in many capacities including Vice Regent, and Regent.

Additionally, Jan was a parishioner of St. Mary’s by the sea episcopal church serving on the Church Vestry, Social Concerns Committee, Altar Guild, and was a Thrift Shop Volunteer.

For all those who knew her, Jan was a source of love, compassion, and laughter. She is well remembered for her collection of colourful hats, her irreverent songs, her tales of growing up in upstate New York, and her life in the military.

She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.