Janet Elizabeth Ponder

Janet Elizabeth Ponder

April 3,1936-November 29, 2025

Janet Ponder was born in Los Angeles to Walter and Peggy (Margaret) Vowels. She delighted in tales of her childhood and teenage years growing up on the West Side with her older brother Bill. Some of her neighbors counted among the child actors of the 1930s and 40s. While attending Hamilton High School she met the Ponder twins. One of those identical twins, Ben would eventually become first her prom date then her husband and the love of her life.

Ben and Janet married on February 14,1956. It happened to be a Tuesday, but it was Valentine’s Day, an apropos wedding day. Janet was only 19 at the time; too young to order a cocktail while on their honeymoon in Las Vegas! The newlyweds settled in Los Angeles in a duplex owned by Janet’s dad. They eventually bought their first home on Tivoli Avenue in the Mar Vista area of Los Angeles. There they welcomed their daughters, Penny and Kellee.

In 1966 they made the decision to move to San Pedro. It was there that their third child, Chad was born. And it was in that town that Ben and Janet lived for the rest of their lives. The Ponder children were blessed with a mom who lavished attention on them. She was a career homemaker, saying that her job description was “domestic engineer.” She especially enjoyed her children's teenage years. Their friends always felt comfortable visiting and chatting with Mrs. Ponder. In 1978 Ben and Janet sold their house and bought a townhouse in the new Gardens development. Those were particularly happy days spent socializing with their many new neighbors and friends.

Janet became a proud grandparent in 1985. The first was eventually joined by five more. She instituted Camp Grandma, inviting her grandchildren to individually and sometimes together spend a week with her in the summer. They would spend time going to movies, shopping, and eating junk cereal for breakfast. The grandchildren were particularly fond of the “magic closet” where a stash of small toys were kept and brought out as special treats. She was always willing to stay with the grandkids while their parents traveled, and/or just needed some peace.

Janet was predeceased by Ben (1933-2017), her husband of 61 years, her parents Walter and Peggy, her brother Bill, and son in law Joe Manisco. She is survived by her daughters Penny Manisco, and Kellee King (Bob), and son Chad, her grandchildren Matthew Manisco, Kacie Zanassi (Dante), Brett Manisco (Kristin), Ryan King (Ali), Collin King, and Charlotte Ponder, and great grandchildren Sofia and Olivia Zanassi, and Julian and Maya Manisco.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Janet’s memory to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, or Shriners Children’s Southern California.