Janet Mary Graham
March 21,1938 – Dec 4,2023
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Janet Mary Graham following a tragic accident.
Born on March 21,1938 in Roseville, Sydney, Australia Janet was the youngest of five children. She had a happy, carefree childhood filling her days with swimming, games of tennis, trips to the cinema and playing with her friends. In her working years she worked as a legal secretary both in Australia and Canada.
Her sister Helen remembers fondly a very happy time backpacking with Janet and a friend through England and the Continent “financed on the smell of an oily rag.”
Janet was 21 years old when she met and married Barrie Graham, a Canadian lad. Seven years later she traveled by ship to meet up with Barrie who was waiting for her in Vancouver. He had returned to Canada while Janet went through the immigration process. While Barrie was away working on the ships Janet worked as a legal secretary and took some university English courses which she excelled at.
Janet and Barrie had many adventures touring all over North and South America on their motorcycle before finally settling on Gabriola over three decades ago where Barrie’s mother owned the Silva Bay Boatel.
Janet’s kind and loving nature served her well when Barrie was stricken with prostrate cancer. She nursed him at home for several years before he passed away. Later, when she met Donald Morrison, they both sold their own houses, pooled their resources and bought another house on Gabriola. Janet shared that home with Donald for six happy years until he also died of prostate cancer.
Janet then concentrated on her painting, eventually becoming a member of the Palette People group where she was able to enjoy and share her great artistic talents. Many of her friends have saved and still cherish the beautiful cards she gifted them every year for birthdays and other special occasions. She was that person who made sure we celebrated together and kept our friendship strong. She was an avid reader and enjoyed her time spent as a member of one the local book clubs. She loved her garden, her dog Seamus, her Saturday morning breakfast dates at Ground Up Cafe and afternoon gatherings with her close friends. She loved to travel and enjoyed memorable trips to India and New Mexico.
Janet was a well-loved gentle, kind-hearted woman who always looked for and found the best in the people around her. She had an old fashioned grace about her and she was an eternal optimist. At the same time she was a determined independent fighter with a clear thinking mind and a fun-loving nature.
Janet will be forever missed and remembered by her family and friends in Australia, by the Morrison family and by her many friends on Gabriola and beyond.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2024 at the Rollo Senior Centre, so we can honour our dear friend, Janet.
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