Janelle Linares

Janelle Linares was born on November 26, 1977 at Community Hospital in Long Beach, CA. She was the daughter of the late Deacon Roger Faubert and Mary Ellen Faubert. She was graduated from Our Lady of Refuge Elementary School and Saint Anthony High School, Class of 1995. Janelle went on to Long Beach City College, where she was president of the ASB. It was also where she met the love of her life, Rick Linares; they were married in 2002. She graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills in 2000, with a degree in Event Planning. She worked at the Anaheim Convention Center for several years, and as a credential specialist at Long Beach Unified School district for the past 17 years.

Janelle undoubtedly left a mark on the world that can never be erased during her 12 1/2-year fight against breast cancer. Diagnosed at the age of 33 she was often the youngest person in the room at doctor’s offices or cancer conventions. She became a mentor to other local young women as she found her way, multiple times, through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. She was a member of the Young Survival Coalition and took part in many of their meetings.

In 2015 she joined an all-female Breast Cancer Pink Dragon Boat Team in Long Beach which happens to be the perfect sport to stretch the effects of radiation. She is one of the youngest paddlers on the team and was constantly challenged and inspired by her older team mates. In April of this year, she traveled with them to New Zealand for the International Festival, her 5-year goal when her cancer turned metastatic in 2018.

She could often be found at the Todd Cancer Center, where she received treatment, handing out hundreds of warm fuzzy socks or snacks that she collected from friends, family, and face book friends. Seeing the surprised, happy faces of other patients brought her joy.

In 2016 she celebrated 5 years from diagnosis by walking the AVON 39.3 mile in Santa Barbara at the age of 39, raising over $5000 for research and to provide mammograms for women unable to afford them. Then she did it again the following year with 2 best friends in New York City! She was always looking for ways to spread information about this terrible disease.

Janelle was connected with the Haus of Volta and was selected to be Mrs. November 2018 as a pin up model. This is a calendar that raises money to help young cancer patients develop self-love, body confidence, and mindfulness after diagnosis. She was selected again for the 2023 calendar to be on the cover. Modeling brought Janelle fun, glamor, and laughter after years of hair loss, scars, surgery, pain, and recurrence.

Not all her life was cancer related. She deeply loved her son James who was only 4 years old when she first heard the diagnosis. He just turned 17 and is a junior at Lakewood High. Her husband Rick has been her rock and anchor through all the good and bad days. She loved dressing up on Halloween or to go to the Renaissance and Pirate Fairs every year in full costume. Maybe you are a lucky recipient of one of her sparkling succulent creations. She felt a sense of peace “tinkering” with her plants in the backyard.

The end of life came to Janelle on Christmas Eve, 2023 at the age of 46. She was a warrior like no other and bravely did her best to fight cancer. We called her Wonder Woman.

She leaves behind her husband, Rick Linares; her son James Linares; her mother Mary Ellen Faubert; her sister Renee Edwards; her brother Andre Faubert; nephew Aaron Edwards; nieces Anna and Addison Edwards; and her long- time cherished friends Rachel Sandoval and Deja Guerra.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for the spring.