Janet Elaine Widdoes

JANET ELAINE EGGEN WIDDOES
Passed away peacefully on Friday, July 7, 2017 at the age of 77 in Fortuna, Ca.
Elaine was born December 19, 1939, in San Francisco, Ca.
Elaine as we know her, was placed in an orphanage, and was adopted when she was 3 months old by Walter and Eva Eggen (a Masonic Family) and was raised in Santa Rosa, California.
She graduated from the last full class of Santa Rosa High School in 1958, and attended Santa Rosa Junior College.
She started her Masonic family career in Jobs Daughters Bethel number 16 in Santa Rosa, and when the Bethel became so large the Bethel was split and the Grand Bethel Guardian chose Elaine to be the first Honored Queen of Bethel 300 in Santa Rosa.
She joined Rose Chapter Order of the Eastern Star on March 2 , 1959 shortly after her 19th birthday.
Elaine married James Widdoes on June 25, 1960 and was very influential in having him become a Mason. As Jim said she has been the sparkplug and inspiration in his Masonic journey.
A little trivia question. How did Elaine and Jim get acquainted Jim had finished Santa Rosa Junior College and went to work for Elaines father who owned Eggen & Lance Mortuary in Santa Rosa. Elaine was sure she wanted nothing to do with anyone in the Funeral profession. Well the story goes that Elaine was a Ballet dancer going to Santa Rosa Junior College. The College was getting ready to stage The King and I and Elaine was chosen to be one of the dancers. Jim, being a singer was called and asked if he would be able to play the lead. Being he had taken a full time job, he had to decline, he was then asked if he would come and critique the musical for them, which he did. After several months of being there every night and Elaine not knowing what he was doing, she started feeling sorry for him and decided ok I can at least go out with him once. 57 years later she was still willing to go out with him.
When they moved to Fortuna in 1961, Elaine affiliated with Rohnerville Chapter #76 where she became an active member and worked for many years with Bethel 85 International Order of Jobs Daughters. She served 4 times as Worthy Matron of Rohnerville Chapter in 1976, 86, 90 and 91, and served Grand Chapter as Deputy Grand Matron in 1992 and 1993. She served Grand Chapter as Grand Martha in 1996.
Elaine worked for Wells Fargo Bank in Santa Rosa, Ukiah, and Placerville, after which she worked as Secretary for Fortuna Methodist church for 17 years.
Elaine and Jim have 4 children, Shari Lynn Widdoes Howe, Richard Walter Widdoes, Kimberly Gayle Widdoes, and Marc James Widdoes. They also have 11 Grandchildren and 1 Great Granddaughter.
Friends and family are invited to the viewing/ visitation on Friday, July 14, 2017 from 12:00 to 5:00 PM at Gobles Fortuna Mortuary, 560 12th St, Fortuna, Ca. Funeral service will be on Sunday, July 16 at 2:00 PM with a viewing from 11:00 AM to service time, followed by a reception at the familys home in Fortuna. Private family burial at Sunrise Cemetery, Fortuna will take place on Monday. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Elaine, to the Valley of Northern California Scottish Rite for the future Childhood Language Center, P.O. Box 51, Fortuna, Ca. 95540, or the Redwood Shrine Club for Shriner's Hospital Transportation Fund, 251 Bayside Road, Arcata, Ca. 95521 or to your favorite charity.

Sunday, July 16, 2017
2:00 PM

GOBLE'S FORTUNA MORTUARY
560 12TH Street
Fortuna, California 95540

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