Janis Ruth Van Dusen

Janis Van Dusen, age 81, died at Pomona Valley Hospital after a lifetime battle with health issues April 11, 2010. Born in San Diego, California on June 21, 1928 to George and Claire Humiston, Janis and her older sister Denise grew up in a loving house full of extended family in Coronado, California. After graduating from Coronado High School she went on to business school. In her heart, Coronado would be home through most of her life. As a teenager, her first job was in the Coronado Bakery; from there she took a job as a “soda jerk” at the local drugstore fountain. Her last job in Coronado was at the Hotel Del Coronado Laundry where she started as a clerk and later became the bookkeeper. It was during this time that she met Harmon Van Dusen, a sailor from Seattle, on a blind date. After a year of dating they headed to Yuma, Arizona where they were married by the justice of the peace on March 3, 1951. In 1955 their daughter Lynn was born; Janis considered this a miracle having been told by doctors she would never have children. Harmon “Van” served a stint overseas and was then stationed in Kaneohe, Hawaii, serving as the personal driver for Admiral McInerny. The family’s 3 years in Hawaii would be a turning point, as they were converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This focus on Christ would serve as a compass for the remainder of their lives. Hawaii claimed Janis’ heart as a second home, and fostered a love that endured throughout her life. Returning to California, they settled in Imperial Beach. A boy was added to the family in 1964 when they adopted their son Samuel. Family get-togethers and 4th of July’s in Coronado were beloved family traditions. Janis loved being a mother, wife and friend to all; always caring for someone who was without family close by or needing a place to stay, or just someone to care. She was that person. She would seek out the poor in spirit and love them unconditionally. 1970 took the family back to Kaneohe for a year, then they relocated to Seattle, Washington, Anacortes, Washington and Anchorage, Alaska. With each move came more friends. Finally, in 1979 they returned to California to be closer to family, living for a short time in Rancho Bernardo then settling in Claremont. Two years were spent serving a mission for the church to Andalusia, Alabama. This time was very special to Janis as she was able to focus exclusively on loving and serving God’s children. Her daughter Lynn recalls, “Mom’s life was always one of recovering from this illness or that illness, yet through it all she never slowed down or let it interfere with life. Probably the most difficult trial she endured was in 1986 when over the course of a few months, she lost her vision to macular degeneration. This was a constant source of frustration to her…an annoyance. She was not going to let this stop her either. She would always say, I’m a fighter, I have been all my life, and I can’t help it. And so it was this last time as she struggled to pull through yet again. But this time it was not meant to be.” Mrs. Van Dusen is survived by her husband Harmon; her children, Lynn Forester and husband John; Sam Van Dusen and former wife Alex Moller; her grandchildren, Courtney Cunningham and husband Cameron, Rachel Ambrocio and husband Jorge, Tyler Forester and wife Leah, Drew Forester and wife Alicia, Danny Walch, and Jessica Van Dusen; her great-grandchildren, Zoë Forester and Helena Ambrocio; and her sister Denise Turner and husband Lloyd. Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 728 E. Baseline Rd., Claremont on April 17; 10:00 am. Interment will take place at Riverside National Cemetery on Wednesday, April 21, 12:30 pm.