Janet Ann Scanga passed away Jan. 5, 2003, at her home after a courageous battle with breast cancer. A Bellingham resident for 19 years, Janet graduated from Oak Harbor High School in 1969 with honors. She attended Western Washington State College, earning a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and sociology in only three years. She chose social work as her life’s occupation and was a dedicated employee for the Department of Social and Health Services for the state of Washington for 23 years.

Janet loved the outdoors, animals, recreating, gardening and traveling. She was an accomplished athlete completing a triathlon with the butterfly stroke while undergoing treatment. Janet kayaked with orcas, hiked with mountain goats, ran a marathon and completed the Seattle-to-Portland bike ride twice. She climbed several peaks in the Cascades, including Mount Baker, sailed in the Bahamas, kayaked the Great Barrier Reef of Belize, skied the Austrian Alps and rode elephants in Thailand. Other countries she visited include France, Denmark, Nepal, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Canada and Mexico.

Preceded in death by her father Frank Scanga, she is survived by her mother Frances Scanga of Oak Harbor; two brothers, William Scanga, also of Oak Harbor, and Francis Scanga of Alger; three sisters, Marilyn Chase of Bellingham, Patty Deiotte of Oak Harbor and Susan Scanga of Bellingham; two nieces, Donna Eklund of Bellingham and Mandy Boyd of Marysville; two nephews, Matthew Chase of Seattle and Jeffrey Deiotte of Los Angeles; and numerous relatives, many loving friends, caring co-workers and her beloved cat Bebe.

It is the hope of family members to create a foundation in Janet’s name that would provide advocates for breast cancer patients. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or any humane society or organization that helps the environment and wildlife.

Janet’s family will host an open house at Janet’s home Sunday, Jan. 19, from 1-5 p.m., in honor of her life. Janet was a bright light extinguished after only 51 years. The world will not be the same without her.