LAKEPORT, Calif. – Janel Marie Chapman of Lakeport California lost her valiant fight to cancer on December 27, 2015.

She was born in Lakeport, Calif., on November 28, 1959.

She graduated from Clear Lake High School in Lakeport in 1978 and Heald Business College in 1979.

After 10 years of working at the Lake County Office of Education, Janel opened Mendo-Lake Paralegals and began teaching at Mendocino Community College. She continued these positions, as well as serving as the Lakeport City Clerk, until shortly before her death.

Music was Janel’s passion and source of comfort in her final days. She sang with a local band, Public Nuisance, for several years.

Janel was very civic-minded. She was a lifetime member of Lakeport Rotary (including being secretary/treasurer of the Every 15 Minutes Program). She was a board member of Big Brothers and Sisters, AWARE and Lakeport Main Street Association.

Janel was preceded in death by her father, George Chapman.

She is survived by her mother, Arleen Chapman, and her sister, Michele Chapman, both of Lakeport; her brother, Wayne Chapman, and his wife, Lisa (Chowchilla).

Janel’s four nieces had a special place in her heart: Danielle Chapman (Chowchilla), Nicole Wells and Sammie Chapman (San Diego), and Brianna Chapman (Long Beach).

A private service for the family will be held on Jan. 30.

A celebration of life will be held on May 14, at the gazebo in Library Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lakeport Rotary or Lakeport Main Street Association for a memorial lamppost.