San Rafael

After living a beautiful, love-filled life, always with a smile on her face, Janet Linda Ellinwood passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025, in Marin County, surrounded by her family. She was born on April 6, 1951, in San Francisco to Philip Irving Diller and Rosalie Helene Diller.

A fourth generation San Franciscan, Janet—affectionately known as Janie—grew up in San Francisco and attended Grant School, Marina Junior High, and Lowell High School. She went on to UCLA, where she earned dual degrees in Spanish and French, with aminor in Portuguese. Later, she completed her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Pacific Basin Studies at Dominican University. Her love of languages and cultures led her to study abroad in Barcelona and Guadalajara during her high school and college years.

In 1974, Janie married the love of her life, Todd Mc- Dowell Ellinwood. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised four wonderful children: Amy Miller (Jamie – deceased), Jenny Macintosh (Dave), Randy Ellinwood, and Todd Ellinwood Jr. (Ashley). Janie was also a proud grandmother to five cherished grandchildren: Madi, Mason, and Mackenzie (Jenny and Dave) and Kennedy and Easton (Todd and Ashley).

In 1989, Janie and Todd moved their family to San Rafael, where they created their dream home and countless happy memories.

Janie’s professional life was as dynamic as her personality. She began her career at I. Magnin on Union Square in San Francisco. In 1982, she launched The Carefree Bride, a full-service bridal consulting business that she successfully ran for nearly 30 years. Alongside this, she earned her real estate agent and broker licenses, worked in several real estate offices, and held roles in shipping logistics while pursuing her MBA. After graduating, Janie transitioned into banking, where she worked for 12 years before retiring in 2014.

Family was Janie’s greatest joy. She loved nothing more than being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and family dogs. Her favorite moments were spent outdoors—reading in the sunshine, listening to birds in her backyard, or relaxing on the deck overlooking the Russian River at the family’s vacation home. Janie had a lifelong fascination with celebrities and delighted in sharing stories of her encounters. She became somewhat of a celebrity herself when she and her dog Mini starred in a Gaines Burger commercial. Janie also had a tender heart for animals, often visiting adoption centers to play with kittens and puppies and enjoying shows featuring dogs and baby animals.

Throughout her life, Janie faced serious health challenges with unwavering strength and optimism. Her resilience and positive spirit inspired everyone around her.

Janie will be remembered as a warm, loving, and endlessly caring woman whose laughter and radiant smile brightened every room. Her legacy of love lives on through her family and all who were fortunate to know her.

She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her devoted husband, four children, and five grandchildren.

In honor of Janet Ellinwood’s memory, donations may be made to the organizations closest to her heart: Marin Humane Society, American Cancer Society, and Breakthrough T1D.