We have no words to express the sadness we are feeling. You feel no pain in the arms of our Heavenly Father. Rest in peace.

It was with great sadness that we learned of Janice’s passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences and we hope that in a small way they help through these trying times.
Love, Spencer, Pina, Christina and Abigail Olsson

We are saddened by the news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

We are so sorry for your loss Rick

Rick we are so sorry for you loss hugs and prayers

Rick I am really sorry about your loss. Jan was a very special person. May she rest in peace.

Rick, So sorry to hear of your loss. Its been a while since we have been together, just want you to know
you and your family are in our thoughts.

Rick this terrible news. Bev and I are saddened by this loss and have you in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Janice.

I’m very saddened to hear the news of Jan’s passing. I can hardly believe it. To Rick and all of Jan’s family, please accept my most heartfelt condolences.

My sincere and deepest Sympathy to Rick and the Pearson Family. So very very sad. Rest in peace.

Jan, you always made my day brighter when we had our little chats. You were never without a smile and that’s how I’ll remembr you. Paul and Lynn Beaton

I remember Jan very well, and always appreciated her. I am sorry to hear she has passed. I t seems far too early!

I have such fond memories of Jan from her time at York University, when I was a grad student. I am so sorry for your loss.

My deepest sympathy to Rick and Jan’s families.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Rick, We are so sorry about the loss of your wife Janice. Please accept our sincere condolences.

JANICE WAS ALWAYS A CHEERFUL, EFFICIENT AND CARING MEMBER OF THE English DEPARTMENT AT YORK. WE WILL ALL MISS HER AS AN IMPORTANT AND VERY PERSONABLE COLLEAGUE. JANET LEWIS

So sorry Rick and family. We’ve certainly lost a bright light in Caledon East.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Rick, and know that Jan will always be with you in your heart,
jjh

I remember how wonderful Jan was to me when I came to Grad English at York. She was so thoughtful, so organized, so generous with her time; a one-woman welcome committee. I had the pleasure of working with her in a summer GA in the office, and when she left to follow a new dream I missed her but thought of her often, new life in Caledon East, with great pleasure. I am so very sorry to hear of her passing, and I send my sincerest condolences to her family. Bless you all.

Jan you were a breath of fresh air and gave us all heart. Rest in Peace.

Like all who were ever associated with grad english at York I have so many memories of such a warm, kind, dedicated, and ever amazingly generous woman.

Can’t believe this untimely and very saddening news. Jan was, somehow will always be, a
wonderful colleague, efficient, tactful, sympathetic, sensitive, utterly reliable and understanding.
And she could be very, very funny. Good to work with, good to know, good inevery way.

I am sorry I was not able to thank Jan properly for the work she did for me at York. It was done willingly, and generously. I will never forget.

When I last saw Jan a couple of years ago in Caledon East, we had a lovely chat about the days we spent together in the Graduate English Program office and about the future. I am saddened that she will not be able to experience all that she imagined, and I know she will be greatly missed. As my assistant in the Grad office, she was a true wonder – always there with solutions to problems, always cheerful – I simply couldn’t have done my work without her. But one thing I will most remember is how she kept a small jar of money in her desk drawer – just in case a student needed some assistance with bus fare or help with food. She was a truly giving and caring person. My sincere condolences to all of her family.

Dear RICK , I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dear wife. My prayers are with you and your family ,

Jan’s smile lit up 205 Stong, She was efficient, warm and made life for new students from far away feel at home. My prayers and thoughts are with Rick and all her family at this most difficult moment

Optimistic, kind, and so very smart, Jan was a wonderful member of the Graduate English Program. Our thoughts are with you Rick, in these terribly difficult times.

when i was director of undergraduate english i often called on jan for assistance and she often came to the undergraduate office. she was, as people have said, so efficient and so cheerful. she had lived at our farm in caledon east for several years and it was good to know that she found a more permanent place in caledon east and a new life. but she was sadly missed in the department.

it will be a very great loss and ann (hutchison) and i send all our sympathy.

james

Jan was both an ever helpful, friendly face and a rock of support for many English grad students at York. I missed her when she left there, and miss her even more now on hearing news of her passing. My thoughts go out to her family.

Rick, I just re-read the dedication you wrote in “Remember When”.
My most sincere condolences on your loss of a wonderful wife and partner.
I remember your contributions to the Can Am Midgets as well.
Bob Wood from my New Brunswick home.

I am utterly shocked to hear about Jan’s passing. In my mind, she is the young woman who made the Graduate English office a welcoming place. She always always had a smile and she could solve all my problems. It is cruel beyond belief that she has left this world so early. Rick, I am sorry for your loss. I know how hard it will be for you to bear it. I will always remember Jan.

We are deeply saddened to hear about Jan. She was a wonderful, caring friend to a whole generation of graduate students and faculty — she will be much missed. Rick, our heartfelt sympathy to you, and to your families.

Betty Sabiston and Hédi Bouraoui

I am deeply saddened to hear of Jan’s passing. As a key member in the office of the Graduate Programme in English, she helped me settle into my very first years as a student at York University. My memory of her generosity and ebullience is a vivid reminder of how fortunate I was to have known her. I would like to convey my condolences to her family, all of whom must feel her absence sharply.

Jan was a big part of my experience at York. Unfailingly kind, a sympathetic listener and a smart, funny conversationalist, she made the graduate English department office a haven for us all. I offer my condolences to her family and husband.

Rick, I am so sorry. I can’t even imagine how hard this is for you and for Jan’s family. I can’t believe that she’s gone, perhaps because she’s not: the memory of her cheery, loving, helpful presence and the strength and good humour with which she met adversity will remain with many many people for many many years to come.

Dearest Rick,

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am terribly sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. You have lost a wife and friend and have gained an angel.

Take each hour as it comes and I am a call away.

Thinking of you during this difficult time.

Jan gave so much to so many students who passed through Graduate English at York. Condolences to her friends and family in this difficult time. I hope you find some comfort in knowing how many lives and hearts she touched.

I am so shocked to hear about Jan’s passing. Even though it’s been years since I last saw Jan, I always remember her with great fondness. I was a graduate student in the English Department at York University up until the early 2000s, when Jan left. Jan was among the kindest and most generous people I met when I first arrived in Canada from Italy in 1996. She helped me so much when I barely knew my way around campus at York — let alone Toronto.
Please accept my sincere condolences.

Rick. I just heard the very sad and shocking news about Jan.
Know that you are surrounded by support at this very difficult
time. Heartfelt condolences. Gabriele and Jonathan

Brenda Leighton and Family

Rick, we were very saddened by the passing of your loved one, Jan. Know that we are thinking of you and the families at this most difficult time. Our sincere condolences to all.

Rick, our thoughts are with you and your family during this trying time. Heartfelt condolences, Frank Bohnec and Family

Rick;
On behalf of the Greedy family we are all saddened to hear of your loss.
There are no words that can be said to relieve the pain just know we all are thinking of your entire family.
John

Dear Rick,
Our condolences on the sudden loss of your wife Jan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Bart, Lois, and family.

I first met Jan years ago when I started working at York as a casual. She was a lovely, lovely person. I am so sorry for your loss. Heaven has gained an angel.

We are sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. Our thoughts are with you Rick during this sad time.

A kindly and hard-working woman, whose influence on student lives was profound: compassionate, calm and collected.

Dear Rick and Family,

I am saddened to learn of Jan’s passing. So grateful that I was able to see and speak with her just last December. She was really a true friend and colleague. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jan was my closest, dearest friend in the late ’80s to early ’90s. We were like sisters. I am deeply saddened by her passing. Jan was always so kind, thoughtful, giving, generous, compassionate, loyal, devoted, and so funny. I will always treasure the memories of the many adventures we had together!
Rick, I am so sorry. I pray that God will give you comfort, support, peace, and healing as you grieve.

Jan shared her warmth, compassion and wit with so many of us at York. Her presence in the Graduate English office had such a positive impact on me. She will be missed.

I am sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. Please accept my most heartfelt condolences.

Dear Rick and Family: Words cannot express my grief and sadness at this terrible news. How can it be true? Much too young to leave us! Jan came to work as Receptionist in Undergrad. English when she was only 19 and I was so grateful for her presence as she matured into a fine young woman and treasured colleague. So many memories! I loved her dearly.

Rick, we are very saddened to hear of you terrible loss. It is very difficult to express our deepest sympathy to you and all of your family members in just a few words. From all of the Glen and Mary Schurr clan our thoughts and prayers are with you.

i always have, and always will, remember Jan’s warmth, compassion and generosity of spirit. She was a guide, counsellor, and stalwart friend; i am so deeply grateful to have known her.

with sincerest sympathy to Rick and to all of Jan’s family.

When our boys were young, we used to go to Marvelous Munchies almost every day for my coffee and of course homemade cookies for the boys. We would sit at the counter and have the best chats! Later on, when Jan worked nights at the foodland, I would often see her and share our stories of the day. She was such a caring, thoughtful lady. Please try to cherish all of those special memories of such a special lady.

Janice was a warm-hearted, open-handed individual whom I came to know as an indefatigable member of the Graduate Programme in English. She was vivacious, resourceful, and endlessly patient with students and faculty, and always of good cheer. I was full of admiration for her gutsiness when she left York to strike out on her own. I send my sincere sympathy to her husband and family on the loss of this very fine person.

My deepest sympathies go out to Rick and to all of Jan’s family. Jan helped me navigate Graduate English at York and helped make the department a place of welcome and belonging. It was a privilege to know her and to call her a friend.
Holding you in the light,
megan

My sincerest condolences. I worked with Jan in Graduate Studies for a great many years and she was a delightful person and colleague. She will be missed.
Michele

Rick, my thoughts are with you and your family. Jan was such a great lady! Gentle, genuine, caring, giving person and not to forget….wow, oh so hard working! She became the daily life line with 3 young boys and the need for the morning coffee to start each day off right! Always happy to see you even under stress and exhaustion of the running the coffee shop on her own. She will be truly missed!

I am very sorry for your loss. I worked with Jan in Graduate Studies and she was always kind and helped me when I didn’t know what I was doing. The world is a little sadder today without her.

Multiply many times all these appreciations of Jan written by students and faculty at York, and you have what I felt
in the three years I worked with her. People truly appreciated her efforts to untie the irritating knots of bureaucracy, easing the stresses of the program, sometimes to her own detriment. Jan would have liked the tone of the memorial service, and for us it was a pleasure to talk with Rick again, and meet his family.

Jan started her job as Graduate Program Secretary in English at York University not long after I joined the Program as a student in the mid 80s. She made every interaction with the program a joy; she calmed students when they were upset; she always knew how things in the department went and what to do to navigate the system. She was a rare and lovely human and she has left the planet far too soon.

Jan was a key part of my being able to work through and complete an MA and Doctorate at York. She was an incredibly generous, warm-hearted person who looked out for absolutely everyone who ever set foot (and some who didn’t!) in that office. She was a courageous person, and persisted in making things warm and welcoming — she put others first. She saved countless of us grief and difficulty in dealing with our lives and the unfamiliar routines of the university. I still think of her when I read French and remember the summer we took a French class together. She was amazing and giving, a truly wonderful human being who I am inordinately lucky to have known. This is a great loss to all of us.

Rick, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. I did not have the pleasure of meeting Janice, however, I can see by the beautiful condolences written before me that she was a wonderful human being and her presence with be missed dearly. I know it is hard to imagine but I hope you find comfort in her memory.

Dear Rick,
May loving memories of your cherished wife Janice bring peace and comfort to your heart and ease your sorrow. Although these memories will at times bring a tear, they will also help you to feel that Janice’s love is always very near. Someone once said that a loved one who has finished their life on earth is not dead for their life has just begun. They are always with us in spirit and as a result will always echo within our thoughts, our words and our hearts.

My sincere condolence to you and your family.

Dear Rick,

In the short time I have known you, I felt that you live a life of harmony.

Harmony comes from having a good home life…which allows us to go out in the world and succeed at what we do, then to return to the harmony at home.

I never met Janice, however……. considering how you have presented yourself to me during the past year, it felt like you had harmony at home.

You mentioned to me during our conversation today…… that you were hoping for “more time” with Janice……that sounds like you wanted to continue enjoying the harmony both of you had with each other.

I’m sorry to know that you didn’t get your wish to have more time with Janice.

I am here to speak with you……. as you feel you need me,

My wife and I want to offer our deepest sympathies to you…….

take care,
Larry Lemelin

I am shocked and saddened to hear today about Jan’s passing. I always thought I’d meet her again someday because we had enjoyed many conversations when I would come by her office at York Univ. to consult her about my phd field exams, etc. She always spoke fondly of her husband, Rick. Jan was a dedicated and dependable individual and she went the extra mile to help all the students who came by her office. Staff and students were quite sad to see her leave York Univ, and I will always remember how truly excited she was about her move to Caledon East. She followed her dream and I found that brave and truly admirable. Rest In Peace, Dearest Jan.