Mary Janet Lindgren, a decades-long advocate for education in Ventura County, died at age 97 on October 20, 2025. Known for her community service in Camarillo and beyond, Janet lived in Camarillo, CA for 55 years, from 1965 to 2020.

Born December 21, 1927, in Minden, Nebraska, Janet graduated from Iowa State College. Janet moved to Camarillo in 1965 from Rolling Hills Estates, CA where she had helped establish Palos Verdes Hills Nursery School that is still thriving today. After arriving in Camarillo, she immediately launched into volunteerism in education: In 1966 she was the first President of the Camarillo PTA Council.

Janet had a positive impact on the lives of countless children and teens through her service on the Ventura County School Board: 22 years as a board member of the Oxnard Union High School District, followed by eight years as a member of the Ventura County Board of Education (President 2003). She worked tirelessly to improve the quality of public education, including serving on task forces for curriculum, legislation, budget, vocational education, pre-school, and welfare-to-work. She served on the California County Boards of Education for 5 years (President 2002). These were elected positions, and her broad community approval and active campaign committees made her the winning candidate for decades.

She will be missed by people in the many organizations she served. Janet was an active member of Camarillo United Methodist Church for over 50 years, a member of the Camarillo chapter of PEO for 50 years, a charter member of the Pleasant Valley Hospital Auxiliary and a hospital volunteer, an active member in the Republican Women’s Organization,= American Association of University Women, and the National Women’s Political Caucus. Janet was well respected for her sharp, analytical mind and for her thorough preparation for important decision-making in each of these organizations.

Janet was the beloved wife of 70 years to Larry Lindgren, who passed away in 2019. Janet is survived by her daughter Martha and sons Fred and Brian, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Marcia Kuska and her sister Cynthia Hoover.

A service to celebrate Janet’s life will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 2:00pm at the Camarillo United Methodist Church, 291 Anacapa Drive, Camarillo CA 93010. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Camarillo United Methodist Church.