I just cannot believe that you are not longer here. I just found out in this publication, I was remembering your presence in our lives while you visited Mexico in 1977and me spending time with your lovely parents, your brother Doug and Sue your sister. I am so confused. Rest in piece my dear talented friend. Coyo Muñoz

I cannot believe it's been a year. You've been on my mind for days and I find myself rereading the news articles from last year trying to bring you back in some small way. I hope you are at peace my friend. Never forgotten. RIP Jan

I first noticed Jan in one of many student enrolment lineups at Langara College late 1993. How could you not notice Jan...sparkling green eyes, a weather conditioned shock of hair, tattered blue Jeans and a smile that madeyou hear glad.
Like Jan I was a mature student. I was enrolled in a nursing section opposite to Jan. I worked hard for pretty much average grades. Not much fun really.
Jan must have observed me, as towards the end  of the term she and her friend Colm approached me and asked me if I wanted join their section next term. Jan said "you'll have a lot more fun".
Well I did...it was true...I had fun! Not only did I have fun, my grades improved dramatically...such was Jan!
Jan and I quickly became fast friends. Jan switched me onto astronomy which was always an interest, however, was never able to pursue. Jan had an amazing catalogue of "Deep Sy Objects" which lived in her mind. We would drive to some "dark sight" where she would point her 8 inch Schmidt Casegrain into the sky and within  minutes have a "nebulae" or very distant galaxy in focus. Jan was so excited about exploring the universe and it was contagious.
I had spent the last twenty something years living in "the wilderness" single parenting my girls while working in and exploring the mountains. 
I was dirt bag poor living on the student shoe string and I think Jan was in similar financial situation. We both found meaningful employment as care aids. Ours lives quickly became entwined. I remember taking Jan to the climbing gym where she walked up to the wall in her long skirt and granny boots and immediately began traversing the wall in good style. She looked me and said, "Ken we have to do this!" Jan was a very understated athlete. She had tons of energy, enthusiasm and an innate intellectual physical process (she got things quick).
Jan's enthusiasm and passion for living lit a fire so hot under my a** that in the middle of midterms I mustered the where with all to take my old defunct honda civic apart and make temporary repairs as we started to hatch plans for  adventure with our precious time off.
Our first of many trips to the mountains was to Tenquille lake from where I had heard of a cryptic faint trail that led to the south west ridge of Sun God Mt. In story book fashion in the wee hours we headed out navigqting by map and compass in the general direction of our Sun God. We found ourselves trail less in steep bluffy terrain. I distinctly remember Jan and I down climbing using scrub vegatation as hand holds. We both slid/scrambled down the last bit of steep and landed on the very trail. One those magical moments you will never forget. We both laughed hard and carried on.We did make to the bottom of the ridge; however it was late in the day and it would have meant  forced bivouac.
The Honda packed it in and together we put what little  funds we had together and bought a very sad old Tercel which we knew would have a limited life. At a furious pace we worked, studied, went regular road trips, star gazed, hiked, climbed. One of us would drive the other would quiz the other on pathophysiology. We never wasted a precious moment! We were both of the same mind...there are no precious moments to waste.
Our paths diverged as school was coming to an end and we both moved on. However, Jan always stayed in touch. Towards the end of school I suffered a serious back injury which left me incapacitated for some time. Jan called me up and told me of job opportunities which were definitely instrumental in me being hired. 
Recently I retired and while reorganizing my house I found a large stack of photo's of Jan and friends from various adventures/events.
Jan was and still is a huge part of my life. Of me really. I knew/know and witnessed many of those she touched!
I miss Jan a lot, though I find comfort in knowing her untiring generous spirit lives on! True to the words, true to her actions, true to the lives she touched, true to the world Jan is a "true angel". Our true Angel!
Jan...thanks for everything...you made a huge difference in my life. 
Love 
Your friend
Ken

Merry Christmas Jan. You will always stay alive in our hearts. We will always feel your presence on every occasion. Love u Jan. Your Saii and family.

I first met Janet when she was 15 years old and my sister's friend. Her quirky sense of humour entertained me constantly and she was forever leaving hilarious notes on my locker. I was privileged to be invited to one of her university concerts and was stunned at her talent. She played magnificently and I have never forgotten that evening. Many years later, I met her again while visiting my sister in Vancouver and learned she had joined me in the nursing profession, another arena in which to share her many gifts. Janet was a brilliant, compassionate, caring, adventurous woman who lived more in her 55 years than most people could in a century. It was an honour to know her, and I am blessed to have been one of the many people whose lives she touched. My deepest sympathies and my prayers go out to Grant, her parents and to Doug, Sue and Ally and their families on the loss of this extraordinary woman.

OBITUARY

Janet Stephanie Rooks

May 9, 1959 – October 14, 2014

Mount Pleasant Universal Funeral Home

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