It is with indescribable sadness that we must share that Jan, our beloved wife, mom, and grandma has passed.
Jan is lovingly remembered by the love of her life, her husband Chris; her adoring children Nicole, Tyler and Tom; daughter-in-law Alex, Tom’s partner Amy; and her darling granddaughter Clara.
Jan had many fond memories of growing up in Vancouver, BC. Jan received a Bachelor of Classical Studies and a Masters of Archival Studies from the University of British Columbia. She was passionate and knowledgeable about history throughout her life. Many of her happiest memories growing up were spending time with her grandmother and she so looked forward to her grandma time with Clara and grandkids to come.
In 1985 Jan moved to Toronto, where she and Chris spent many happy years before relocating to Victoria on New Years Eve 1991/2 to start their family. They were blessed to be soulmates and best friends, and were deeply in love for over 40 years. Jan passed just three days before their 37th wedding anniversary.
Jan described her years at home raising her children as the most important and deeply satisfying of her life. This time is also treasured by her now adult children. She always made it look easy, but in truth, the magic of her mothering was that everything was done with such care and devotion. She filled each day with playfulness, wonder, and warmth.
When Jan returned to work, she spent time at St. Ann’s Academy, where she especially loved helping with weddings, and with the Provincial Capital Commission as well as the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. After retiring, her days were filled with family and friends, reading, gardening, creating family photo albums, cycling, and travel. An avid traveller and adventurer, Jan had an unquenchable thirst to see all that the world had to offer and to share those experiences and memories with her family and loved ones. At the end of each day, she and Chris would share and discuss their thoughts and experiences and settle into a loving evening companionship.
Above all else, Jan was a devoted and endlessly loving wife and mom. She was the beating heart of our family, tireless in creating joy in all the simple moments, building and maintaining traditions, and the daily showering of us all with her nurturing, bright and beautiful spirit. Jan was, and will continue to be, so deeply and dearly loved and cherished. She was a beautiful soul and is carried with us, in all that we do and all that we are, for the rest of our lives.
A service to honor Jan’s life will be held on Saturday May 31, 2025, at 2:00pm at St. Ann’s Academy, 835 Humboldt St, Victoria, BC. All who were fortunate enough to know and love Jan are welcome.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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22 Responses
So sorry to hear of your loss she was an amazing lady loved our interactions at the car dealership with both of you guys and the kids .
Craig and Heidi Hygh
On this day of Jan’s service, I must covey the shock and sadness many of the former Archives of Ontario employees and our Old Boys felt learning about Jan’s death. Her passing at such a young age is an immense loss to her family. My condolences to all of them and to Chris.