Janet A. Poole

Janet Ann Poole (Hedgecock), 79, of Sacramento, CA, passed away on June 17th, 2024, of complications from MDS (Myodysplastic Syndromes) Janet was born in Bakersfield to loving parents Elvin and Nathalie Hedgecock on May 17th, 1945, where she followed her big brother Lew into various mischief and developed a lifelong sweet tooth for peppermint ice milk and candy chews from Dewars ice cream shop. She attended Bakersfield High School, where her father taught, but managed to avoid any of his classes, graduating in 1963 and always excitedly remembered how the Beach Boys played there before they became famous. After receiving an art history degree from Fresno State University she followed both parents’ footsteps into education, earning her teaching credential and teaching kindergarten in Woodland, CA. She loved seeing the spark of knowledge in a child’s eyes and remained a lifelong learner herself. “Children are so smart.” she was known to say, believing the best way to teach was to gently guide them to the right answer, preferring to foster “Eureka!” moments than drilling rote memorization. In 1971, a mutual friend invited Janet and a somewhat shy handsome attorney, Don Poole, to a party thinking they might be a good match. That they were! They married just two months later, on July 31st. After moving to Sacramento, the couple welcomed a beautiful baby girl in 1973 and Janet left teaching to be a full-time parent, also welcoming a bouncing baby boy in 1976. A doting mother, Janet turned her teaching experience to volunteering at her kid’s schools. Ever of service, she helped run an Art Docent program, showcasing fine art to elementary school kids, who always enjoyed the break from regular studies. She reveled in her children’s accomplishments, never missing a water polo tournament or a jazz festival. Never one to sit still, Janet always had a project to work on, whether it was making stained glass windows and lamps for the home and as gifts or designing the covers and layouts for her PEO Sisterhoods yearbooks. Later, she joined her husband on the golf course and fell into it full swing. They joined Del Paso Country Club where Janet played in (and won) many charity tournaments and scored her first of two holes-in-one. Together, they supported the Crocker Art Museum and the Sacramento Regional Foundation. She remained curious and vibrant throughout these last few years since her diagnosis, forever determined to enjoy life by traveling, attending the theatre and dining with friends. She passed peacefully, attended to by loving family, bathed in sunlight. A devoted wife, we choose to believe she is now reunited with her loving husband for all time in the great hereafter. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved brother Lewis Hedgecock, dear friend Barb Rogers, and her devoted husband Donald Poole. She is survived by her daughter Erika Higbee and son-in-law Tom Higbee of Petaluma, CA; her son, Kevin Poole of Sacramento, CA and an extended family of nieces and nephews and many close friends of many years, who will all remember her as a sweet, kind, funny, and warm soul. A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at Del Paso Country Club later. In lieu of flowers (she had several allergies) donations in her honor may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the MDS Foundation.