Obituaries

Longtime Fremont resident Janet Marie Di Paola passed away peacefully in her home on August 17th, 2024 at the age of 83. Janet will be remembered as an amazing mother of eight, a wonderful mentor, a great friend to anyone who met her, leader of her Red Hat Society group, and a dedicated volunteer at her church, St. James the Apostle. She touched the lives of so many, it seemed anywhere she went in Fremont she would undoubtedly run into someone she knew.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, John Di Paola, her parents John and Laura Mullins, and brothers James Mullins and Stephen Mullins. She is survived by her eight children and nine grandchildren: daughter Jeanne Di Paola (Fremont), daughter Mary Ann Shadbolt (Livermore), son Michael Di Paola (Fremont), son John Mark Di Paola (Livermore), daughter Julie Moore (Fremont), son Matthew Di Paola (Henderson, NV), daughter Monica Di Paola (Brentwood), and son Joseph Di Paola (Fremont). Her grandchildren: Rebecca, Austin, Amelia, Anthony, Kaylie, Jared, Cassandra, Katarina, and Derek. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Mullins and sister, Nancy Scott.

Janet was born May 24th, 1941 in Oakland, but she grew up in Pleasanton where she graduated from Amador Valley High School. At AVHS, she developed her love for the color purple and was involved in student leadership, was head majorette, and was a member of the Aquadonnas (aquatic ballet). Upon graduation, she attended Holy Names University where she earned a degree in mathematics. She used her sharp intellect to enter the burgeoning field of computer programming. During this time, she met her husband John, who she married in 1964 and started a family soon after in Fremont. Janet temporarily put aside her career to raise her children – at one point having four little ones under the age five. As her eight children became a little older, she ventured back into the workforce. First, she filled needed positions at the school where her husband worked, American High. This included stints working in the front office, as the school registrar, and the Career Center Tech. She really enjoyed being able to help students in each of these capacities. Later, she worked for the City of Fremont Recreation Department. Upon retirement, she turned her attention to her church where she volunteered as the office secretary – a position she maintained for many years.

Janet was integrally involved her children’s athletic endeavors. Over the course of ten years, she managed two of her sons’ youth baseball teams. She served on the Board of Directors for FBI Baseball including several years as the vice president. Janet was the scorekeeper for countless baseball and softball teams from the time her kids started playing ball all the way through high school. And, no matter the sport or how many competitions there were that week, she seemed to never miss one of her kids’ events. Janet was also a proud member of the Red Hat Society. She really enjoyed the travel, friendships made, and events. She served as Queen for two different chapters: the PIPS and MOMS (Miladys of Mischief).