Janet Rodgers, director of the Ballard High School Foundation, dedicated her life to serving others. Before her work with the foundation, she served in the Peace Corps, worked as a public health nurse, managed Seattle's UNICEF operations and was a Ballard Boys & Girls Club board member.

When Rodgers passed away Aug. 26 at the University of Washington Medical Center due to complications from breast cancer, the community lost one of its best.

"She was a true visionary and leader," reads the Ballard High School Foundation's "Golden Beaver" newsletter. "She inspired us to do more for Ballard, the community and our families."

As director of the foundation, Rodgers built a great team of community members, alumni, faculty and staff that has worked on countless projects benefitting Ballard High School students, said her son Billy Rodgers, a member of the foundation's board and the Ballard High School boys basketball coach.

She was part of the group behind the first-ever Ballard Beaver Bash, proceeds from which support Ballard's academic programs. Her signature event was the Ballard High School Golf Classic, which has raised more than $600,000 for athletic and music programs in the past decade.

"She really enjoyed work that impacted people, especially children, in a positive way," Billy Rodgers said. "She loved working for her local high school and her local community."

Mary Wong, Ballard High School Foundation board member, said the loss of Rodgers is devastating for everyone involved in the foundation.

"She has contributed so much to our success and to each of the students that has gone through Ballard," Wong said.

Billy Rodgers said he credits the strength of his family to his mother. He said he will miss her, but the feeling he is left with is one of pride for how she lived her life.

Rodgers is survived by her husband Bill; daughter Andrea, son-in-law Michael Harris and their son Will; son Billy and his fiancee Kristina Anderson; and the rest of her family throughout Washington and Oregon.

"Our family wants to extend a thank you to all of the Ballard community for supporting our family through such a difficult time," Billy Rodgers said.

In her honor, Janet Rodgers' family is asking that donations be made to the Ballard High School Foundation or the Ballard Boys & Girls Club.

A service and celebration of Rodgers' life will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club, located at 6413 Seaview Ave. N.W. Everyone is welcome.