Janis McRaeThe family of Janis McRae announces her passing on May 25.  A 50-year resident of Mariposa, Janis grew up in Sonora, where she attended Sonora High School, class of 1956  Her family owned the Ratto Ranch, often used in the film and television industry. She married Alton McRae of Jamestown in 1957.  Janis was a reporter for the Mariposa Gazette, the Mariposa Tribune, and the Merced Sun Star for a combined 35 years. 

She handled all publicity for the Mariposa County Fair for many years, and was the fair’s livestock supervisor.  She was a life-long member of the American Legion Auxiliary (Smyth-Bolter Unit #58), a member of the Mariposa Student Loan Association, and a founding member of the Mariposa Junior Livestock Auction Committee. Additionally she was a founding member of the St. Joseph Ladies Guild and a member of the Bootjack Stompers Dance Club.

One of Janis’s cherished memberships was that of an honorary Chapter-Farmer Degree of the Mariposa FFA, because for 32 years she accompanied Alton to FFA events in support of Mariposa High School Ag students.

An extensive traveler, Janis had traveled throughout Europe, Japan, South America, the Caribbean, and had taken cruises on two oceans, the Mediterranean Sea, and through the Panama Canal. In 2007 her family accompanied her and Alton on an Alaskan cruise to commemorate their 50th wedding anniversary.

She is survived by Alton, her husband of 53 years; her son, Richard and his wife Kelley and grandsons Patrick and Nathan, of Windermere, Fla.; and daughter, Sandra  of Mariposa; George Matthews and wife Pam, of Denver, Colo.; Terry Bullis of Raymond, granddaughters, Amber Lough, Hazel Matthews; and great-grandchildren, Elizabeth and Henry Lough. Additionally she is survived by niece, Pam Spears of Waterford; and nephews, Don and Ron Mendel of Turlock.

A funeral mass will be conducted at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mariposa on Saturday, May 29 at 2 p.m.  In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Mariposa Student Loan Association, P.O. Box 1112, Mariposa, CA 95338.