Jana Lee Bassett

It happened every time my family went to the movies.  My mother, Jana Lee Bassett, would discreetly take out the can of Coke and paper cups stashed in her purse.  Then CRACK!  The sound of the soda being popped open would whoosh through what always seemed to be the quietest moment of the film. This smuggling operation can be revealed now because unfortunately Jana died on November 30, 2021, in Elk Grove at age 76, following a stroke several months earlier.

Jana was born and raised in California with her sisters by her parents Floyd and Sybil May.  She was in the first graduating class from Bella Vista High School in Fair Oaks.  Jana graduated from CSU Sacramento, where she was president of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.  She met Robert Bassett there, who would become her husband for more than 20 years before they divorced.  Jana had two children—Lori, who died in 2007, and Kaye.  With her husband Khalil Cox, Kaye provided Jana with two grandchildren—Audrey and Theo. 

Jana’s first career was as a reporter for the Sacramento Bee.  Then she was a devoted homemaker who was always there for her kids.  She instilled a love of the performing arts with frequent trips to the Music Circus, Ice Capades, and of course movie theaters.  Jana regularly volunteered at her kids’ school, which was still fondly remembered decades later by one of Kaye’s classmates.  Jana was an avid reader who worked at the Belle Cooledge Library after her kids were grown.  She maintained a subscription to the Sacramento Bee and often sent newspaper clippings of helpful or interesting articles to family and friends.  Jana continued writing by routinely mailing cards and letters, even corresponding with a pen pal from Australia since she was in grade school. 

Jana also loved animals.  She took especially good care of the family’s pet turtle Pokey.  Jana would donate money to the World Wildlife Fund and the Save the Manatee Club as well as write letters in support of protective legislation.     

Following her wishes, Jana will be cremated and interred near Lori at East Lawn Greenback.  No services are scheduled, but Jana’s life left an impression on those who knew her.