Janet Hill
Janet Ingram Hill, born March 29, 1957, to John S. Ingram and Jeannie L. Ingram in Modesto, passed away on June 2, 2012, in Santa Barbara, the community she called home for nearly her entire life. Though born in Modesto, Janet moved to Santa Barbara as a young child and remained there for the rest of her life, building deep roots through her work, friendships, and above all, her devotion to her family.
In Janet’s youth, she enjoyed spending her days around Santa Barbara — playing baseball at Pershing Park, spending time at West Beach, the breakwater, and Stearns Wharf. Janet grew up on the Mesa and loved animals from an early age. She had a pony named Coy, whom she enjoyed riding alongside her younger sister Julie and Julie’s horse, Cloud, affectionately known as “Bubba.”
Janet spent most of her working years at Butera’s Northside Motor Parts. While never officially titled the office manager, she effectively filled that role and much more. She began working in the auto parts industry at Caesar’s Auto Parts when she was just 16 years old. In the early 1980s, she also taught an auto parts class at Santa Barbara City College. Janet was well known and highly respected within the local auto repair community for her intelligence, responsibility, and strong work ethic. She always made sure customers received the correct parts and would do everything she could to track down hard-to-find items when needed.
But the role that defined Janet most was being a mother. Her greatest joy and purpose in life were her children, Shawn Hill, Justin Hill, and Kallie Hill McFerron, for whom she worked tirelessly and selflessly.
Those who knew Janet remember her as generous with her time and unwavering in her dedication to the people she loved. She was intelligent, strong-willed, and deeply dependable — someone others could always count on. Her favorite place in the world was simply at home with her children and her dog, Kobe, where she felt most content. She always made sure Kobe was cared for and walked, often saying, “Who’s going to walk this dog?” — a phrase her family still remembers fondly.
Janet fought a courageous battle with colon cancer and remained determined to stay strong for her family. One of her greatest motivations was living to see Kallie graduate from high school, a milestone she was able to witness before her passing. Her perseverance and love for her children defined the strength with which she faced her illness.
In her later years, Janet enjoyed arts and crafts, finding creativity and peace in making things with her hands. Yet even then, her true passion remained caring for and providing for her family. She was a constant presence in her children’s lives, deeply involved in their schooling, activities, and day-to-day lives, always giving her support, encouragement, and love.
One of the sayings Janet lived by was: “Life by the inch is a cinch.” It reflected the practical wisdom and resilience she carried throughout her life. She also had a sharp wit and memorable sense of humor. If she thought someone was not particularly bright, she would jokingly say, “They’re not the sharpest knife in a drawer full of spoons,” a line her family still laughs about today.
Although Janet chose not to have a public obituary at the time of her passing, the years since have only reinforced the impact she had on the lives of her children. The values she instilled — hard work, responsibility, perseverance, and love of family — continued to guide them long after her passing.
Her son Shawn Hill became a successful Certified Financial Planner and has worked alongside Mark Brenner for 19 years, building a respected career helping others plan for their futures. Her son Justin Hill became a successful cabinet maker and has dedicated 18 years to his craft, earning a reputation for skill, hard work, and reliability. Her daughter Kallie Hill McFerron built a successful career at University of California, Santa Barbara, where she serves as a manager overseeing Contracts & Grants, Finance, and Student Affairs. In 2024, Kallie married her husband, Chris McFerron, on Janet’s birthday — a meaningful tribute to the mother whose love and guidance continued to shape her family long after her passing.
Janet is survived by her children, Shawn Hill, Justin Hill, and Kallie Hill McFerron; her siblings John Ingram (Rachelle), James Ingram, Jeff Ingram, and Julie Vior (Randy). Following Janet’s passing, her siblings continued to support and care for her children, providing love, guidance, and family strength during the years that followed — something Janet would have been deeply grateful for.
Janet will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, a generous soul, and a woman of quiet strength whose care and sacrifices shaped the lives of those closest to her. Her memory continues to live on in the family she loved so deeply.
