One day in 1993 Janey Marquez showed up in the Seed office with a cute little three-year-old by her side. I knew of Janey from local early childhood circles, but didn’t know her well. Boldly she said, “This child needs to go to your school.” I was immediately smitten by the charming brown-eyed girl gazing up at me as her grandmother voiced her intention to have her be a Seed. We talked further and before long little Deana was a student. She spent several years at Awakening Seed as a child, then went off to public school. We didn’t see each other for quite awhile as Deana grew up. Then one day my daughter ran into Janey at a craft store. As it turned out, Deana was all grown up and had a child. We were looking for an assistant and she was looking for a job. Again, Janey brokered an arrangement for Deana to be at the Seed.
Over the years, Deana and her two oldest children were at the Seed before moving on to other schools and positions. In the meantime, though, in 2016 we hired Deana’s cousin, Ashley, whose two children became Seeds. Additionally, in 2018, her sister, Alex, also became a staff member. Both of her children have been Seeds, and one is still a student. Currently, Deana, Ashley, and Alex each have a son in attendance, and they frequently play together. It’s quite a legacy Janey has left the Seed.
This weekend Janey’s family will acknowledge the one-year anniversary of her death. What follows are excerpts from her eulogy, written and delivered by Deana. I wanted you to know more about this extraordinary woman who, in her own way, made a significant contribution to the Seed:
Although she struggled with the challenges of Alzheimer’s in her final years, she lived a bountiful life. She was an artist and gardener with an eye for crafting beautiful jewelry. She cultivated stunning plants and art, as well as meaningful relationships. Janey was an educator, holding a masters degree in early childhood eduction. She worked diligently for Head Start and understood the profound impact early childhood education has on young lives. Janey also mentored high school students through her church. Once she retired, she moved full time to Mexico, where she tutored local children, teaching them English, and helping them learn to read. Janey was an avid reader herself and radiated genuineness that ignited a spark in others, especially her grandkids. She knew how to create adventures such as camping trips and visits to historical ruins. Janey loved music, in particular the Beatles, ABBA, and Carlos Nakai.
At times, Janey could be contemplative and thoughtful. She was also affectionate and warm, which came through in her loving devotion to her husband, Nacho. Janey created a safe space through her presence that made others feel valued, heard, and understood. Her laughter and genuine smile could light up a room. Janey was deeply connected to the natural world in a way expressed by this quote from her eulogy: “The gardener’s task is a noble thing; To nurture life and see what it can bring. Though she’s gone to where the flowers bloom, Her love remains within us as we make room.”
Janey nurtured the lives of those around her and constantly planted seeds. She certainly planted some that have sprouted and grown to fruition here at Awakening Seed. As we approach the anniversary of her departure from Planet Earth, I wanted you to know a bit of her story, and the far-reaching influence she’s had at the Seed through two generations of her family. No doubt, there will be more to come in the future.