Janis Entler Paris died following a two-year battle with cancer on Sunday, April 29.

Janis was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. She survived and escaped a troubled family, and made a life that anyone would be proud of.

A star student in high school, she found her way in to college by entering and winning the Miss Scott County pageant, which came with a scholarship. She eventually earned two master of arts degrees, in psychology and theater arts.

She lived for nearly 10 years in French Canada and taught high school while there. When she returned to the U.S. she settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she became a top book editor and project manager.

Janis made herself a master of PhotoShop, and was able to restore many old and damaged photographs that few would have been able to work with.

She became a political activist, helping to organize opposition to the Iraq war from its beginning in early 2003.

She contributed in many ways — with her ideas, her artistic ability, and sheer shoe leather and sweat — to local political issues, and helped make Lake County a better place to live. She was resolutely, and not always conveniently, committed to honesty and justice.

But her true passion was music. All the way back to her teenage years she fronted a band, and over the years she became an accomplished songwriter, singer, and bandleader.

There were many people who saw this beautiful, petite woman and were then astonished at the big voice and raw blues power that she delivered.

She completed one album with her band Paris and Frindt and Friends, and had material ready to begin work on a second album when illness forced to put the project on hold.

She leaves her husband Paul Frindt, her beloved stepdaughter Brittany Skrzypek, two sisters in Iowa, and many, many friends who will miss her very much.

To quote the song she often used to close shows, “There’s a hole in the world tonight.”

There will be an informal get together of friends to mark her life and passing at her house at 1946 New Long Valley Road, Clearlake Oaks, on Sunday, May 20, at 2 p.m. Light food will be provided. Please bring only your memories and thoughts to share.