She was born April 11, 1943, in Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Joseph and Mary Rose (Johnson) Gould. In her late teens, she moved to Toronto to begin a new life. She attended secretarial school and soon found employment with Simpsons department store. On October 12, 1965, she married John Takata and together raised 3 children.
In the 1970s she was a foster parent to many children and also provided daycare services within her home. But she always made time for her children’s extracurricular activities including swimming, skating, hockey, guides, scouts, baton, and music lessons.
As her children became more independent she found employment at J-Mar Electronics. There she remained a valued employee for over 20 years.
In 1999 she went back to school and at the age of 58, graduated George Brown College with a degree in Social Work. Until her retirement, she worked as a residential counsellor for various aboriginal organizations in Toronto, including NA-ME-RES, native men’s residence and Anduyhuan, native women’s shelter.
Janet enjoyed the simple pleasures in life like playing cards and bingo, going to a Blue Jays game or travelling back home to visit family and friends. She also enjoyed her annual pilgrimages to St. Anne de Beaupre in Quebec and St. Ann’s Mission in Chapel Island.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Andy, Jim and Kelly; cherished grandchildren, Justin, Katie and John “Beezer”; and sisters, Joanne Poulette, Madeline Poulette, Mary Estelle Gould and Marie Bella Gould.
She is predeceased by her husband of 54 years; her parents; brothers Milton “Bye Bye” Gould, John Sidney Gould, Frances “Rubby” Gould and James Gould; sisters Frances “Crow” Battiste and Margaret Paul.
Visitation will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, 7-9 pm and Sunday, November 17, 2024, 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm, at T.W. Curry, 755 George St., Sydney, NS.
The funeral mass will be Monday, November 18, 2024, at 11 AM, at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, 40 Cabot St., with Fr. Bill Burke. Burial will follow at Membertou Memorial Gardens and Salite at Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.
