Janet Florence Davis

She is survived by children Susan (Dan) Sullivan, Ian (Sheri), Heather (Bill) Qualtrough; grandchildren Dirk, Rachel (Sean), Harrison (Stacey), Gareth, Nigel, Aiden (Chelsea), Teri-Rose, Bill (Jocelyn), Gus & Keith; great-grands Lottie, Bubba, Lockhart, Piper, Aengus, Huck, & River. Long-time companion Mike Champniss, sister Liz (John) Monk, sister-in-law Louise Cross, brother-in-law Dean (Marcia) Davis and loads of nephews & nieces. Not to forget an abundance of friends.

Janet was pre-deceased by husband Terry Davis (1976), parents George Cross (1939), Martha (1978) (Wilf) Spearman (1988), brother Sandy Cross (1976), niece Laura Lynn Laplante (1993), in-laws Dean (1970) & Marion Davis (2006).

Hers was a life well-lived, earning a vast number of accomplishments and achievements. Janet’s time on earth was full and what follows is THE list of lists!

Janet was born with an incomplete left hand. This small detail was to impact her life in ways no one could have imagined. Hearing “you won’t be able to do that” was her own personal inspiration to say “watch me”. This expression today is #holdmybeer but no doubt Janet would never say that. She would hold her “beer” while acing the challenge. Her very sharp mind served her well in life as she overcame almost every obstacle except the last. Janet has been characterized as feisty intelligent, gregarious, loving, inspirational, charitable, overachieving, and a take charge lady – traits you may recognize in her children.

All obstacles were seen as a personal challenge and Janet conquered most – even winning the Quebec Grade 1 Piano Conservatory Award single-handedly. Other honours achieved: Top Female Academic Award at Westmount High School, Captain of the Swim Team, lead in the play “Our Town” and choral ensemble at McGill’s immensely popular Red and White Revue production “My Fur Lady”.

A twice graduate of McGill University, Janet applied to Occupational Therapy first and was denied acceptance. She was technically labelled “handicapped” and not allowed in that program. She settled for a BA in 1957 from McGill University. Determined, in 1971 she re-applied to the OT program and in 1974 graduated, Suma cum laude. Janet worked for many years at Constance Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre in Montreal and retired from the UBC Hospital Purdy Pavilion in Vancouver.

Her many pastimes included the Arts, Recreation, and Travel (often in combination!). An avid painter using all mediums, as well as dabbling in ceramics, sculpture, and stained glass, Janet rounded out her creative pursuits exercising her Maria Von Trapp gene, sewing #matchy-matchy Christmas dresses, home décor and headbands from the same cut of fabric to use every last scrap. Speaking of genes, we would be remiss to leave out her DIY-Fix-it talent. Janet could take apart, repair and reconstruct almost anything from toilets and dishwashers to her beloved Kenwood Chef mixer (it served 50 years before succumbing). Her memory for family history events and stories was wonderful. Janet also subscribed to live theatre, orchestras and local galleries.

Physical endeavours started with regular exercise through the YMCA, Curves, and at Terraces. Between organized classes she was outdoors: hiking, cycling, canoeing & portaging, sailing, cross-country & downhill skiing (even helicopter skiing), Masters swimming, curling, skating, badminton, Volkssport walking and not-to-mention windsurfing and scuba diving.

Janet’s physical activities segued into adventure travel: backpacking Japan, walking Ireland, hiking the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Lake Louise, biking through the Gulf Islands, sailing on a schooner through the Queen Charlottes (painting at every stop) and another time to Khutzeymateen Provincial Park looking for Grizzlies, sailing with Mike up the Interior Passage, Canal boating in the UK, Canoeing the Bowron Lakes, the Nahanni River (NWT), Parcs La Verendrye and Algonquin - ALWAYS with a sketch book nearby. Less physical travel was equally enjoyed on Cruises (be it River or Ocean) and charter trips to India, Asia and elsewhere.

When Janet was land-locked, her lifestyle devotions extended to the United Church (Westmount St Andrews, Roxboro, Montreal West and then at Canadian Memorial at 15th & Burrard) where she studied her faith, served as an Elder, and volunteered for many outreach programs for the simple joy of giving. She was a founder of several organizations – the Wilf Spearman Campership was very dear to her heart. Bridge with the girls or at Brock House (no surprise painting there too) was always a keen interest.

Her battles scars make for another good laundry list! Hernia from too many sit-ups, blown out knee cartilage at Badminton with decades later full knee replacement, uterine & skin cancer, COPD, a Kidney transplant 17 years ago (correcting hereditary Polycystic Kidney Disease) and Arthritic surgery in her one good hand – all while raising 3 children and numerous pets (cats, dogs, turtles, mice) and becoming a widow at 40 years of age.

We often wondered if she would live forever. Sadly, after a year of isolation culminating in testing positive, her time was up.

We are grateful to The Terraces, the Doctors and Nurses on the Covid ward at VGH, and to her Minister for her final care – and – to all her friends who reached out with prayers of support for her in the last leg of her journey.

If you made it to the end of this obituary, Janet has asked for donations to www.CanadianMemorial.org in lieu of flowers. We invite all her friends to share personal stories in the guest book here – especially since there will be no service.

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