Janice Ruth Calder

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone;

For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you,

you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.

The time has come to remember the life of Janice Calder who passed away peacefully with her three children at her side on November 4, 2023. Jan goes to join her true love in life Ron who passed away in 2017. Left to treasure her memory are her three children Maureen, Cam (Annemarie), Marcia (Tony) and 6 grandchildren; Landon (Chelsea), Austin (Michelle), Justine (Kyrie), Craig, Ian, Corry and two great grandchildren Whitton, and Callaghan. As well as numerous nieces, nephews and many other extended family members.

Jan was born in Winnipeg Manitoba on September 24, 1936, to Norman and Maude Brewer. She was their fourth child of five. She is survived by her two brothers David (Patty) and Brian (Susan) and predeceased by her two older sisters Betty (Eddie) and Gerry (Grant).

Jan won various typing contests in school that set her on a path to attending secretarial school and becoming a receptionist to begin with and then on to various secretarial positions in her career. She tells the story of working one of her first jobs for an architectural firm in Winnipeg and how she had to say the name of all the senior architects when she answered the phone as part of the greeting. She met the love of her life Ron when she was only 15 years old. While in school they both sang and participated in operettas. Ron was her “older man” by two years and they married in 1958 and started their family soon after with Maureen arriving in 1960, Cam in 1962 and Marcia in 1964. Winnipeg was home for them but having ventured to B.C. on their honeymoon knew that one day they wanted to make B.C. their home. Jan was a true homemaker in every sense of the word. She has been quite a cook, and baker most of her life and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. She loved to garden, knit and crochet in her retirement and was always trying new things. They loved to camp and as a family had the opportunity to see much of Western Canada.

They initially moved the family to Westbank, BC in 1973 and truly felt they had found their happy place. However, in 1977 due to a new job opportunity for Ron they moved the family again this time to Kamloops, B.C. There she decided to get back into the workforce and for the first time worked in a law firm initially as the receptionist and then was moved to be the secretary for one of the senior partners. She loved this job and the team there very much. Upon retiring both Jan and Ron decided they wanted to retire in the Okanagan Valley and again moved back to West Kelowna settling into a lovely home in Westlake Gardens here they met many great neighbours who had moved too from the Coast, Alberta, Ontario, and even Winnipeg.

Jan will be remembered for her laugh, love of entertaining, gardening and being the hostess with the most. She loved to say hello to neighbors and even in her long-term care facility later was always smiling and welcoming residents and visitors.

Jan will be laid to rest next to her dearest Ron.

There will be no formal service held as per her wishes. Family and friends will each honour Jan in their own way and plans will likely include a Celebration of Life in the spring. We wish to thank the Glenmore Lodge Team for their love and support of our Mom in her last few years as a resident there.