It is with saddened hearts we inform you of the passing of our dear wee ‘Janie’. She fought her last battle in life in facing emergency surgery several weeks ago, and though her little body was repaired well, her spirit was determined that this was her opportunity to be finished here, and to journey on to join her adored ‘Roy’. . . and that thought alone brings her loving family comfort and peace. A kind and loving soul who shared her talents with all, and an incredible personna of the word ‘Homemaker’, Jane left everyone who knew her with a legacy of sorts simply becaue you knew her!
Born in Vancouver on November 8, 1918 to Jimmy and Jennie Webster, she received her given names becase it was the name of the song that would quiet her crying when it was sung by the workmen on the steam-ship that carried her and Jennie home to Campbell River where she spent her first 18 years. Claiming the honor as the first graduate of the Campbell River High School, she left ‘The River’ for Victoria to start a waitressing job at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, and almost two years later she returned to Duncan to help her Mom and stepfather Frank Smith run their new store on Coronation Avenue.
She then waitressed at the Greenhaven Cafe until a certain handsome young man convinced her that being his wife would be a better career. She married Roy Jack in July 1940 and they made Duncan their home for several years before moving to Mesachie Lake where Roy was employed for the next 25 years with Hillcrest Lumber Company. It was a wonderful marriage that lasted almost 60 years before Roy’s passing in 1999.
When the mill, closed in Mesachie Lake, they settled in Nanaimo for nearly 30 years where Roy worked at Mayo Lumber Company until her retired.
They had two children. . . son Gordon, was a talented mechanic in and around Lake Cowichan, and then also for many years in Nanaimo, before he passed away suddenly in 2002. Their daughter Lorene (Brooks) Milligan, who was a well-known and loved teacher in the area for 35 years before she retired in 2003, lives in Saltair with her adoring husband Jim.
Janie’s family loved, respected, and enjoyed her, and will hold countless memories and stories of her in their hearts for many, many years to come. . . especially her unique little ‘sayings’!
Her surviving family include her ‘other girl’ Darleen Jack, grandsons Robert Jack and Toban (Tara Frost) Brooks, granddaughters Bonnie Jack, Kathy Jack, Christine Jack, and Joelle (Barry) Hornby. The family tree expanded to also include great-grandchildren Kevin Jack, Shelby Jack, twins Gus and Molly Brooks, and Alexandra Hornby. She was so proud of her clan. . . and there will long remain a definite void where this wee lady walked with us.
There will be a gathering at Jim and Lorene’s home in Saltair. . . 10889 Grandview Road. . . on Sunday, April 24, 2005 between 1:00 and 4:00 pm for family and friends who wish to join us to reminisce and recall precious memories of times spent with this fine wee soul.
“Never let it be said that a ‘Fine Scot’ cannot achieve what they set out to do, if they’ve made up their mind to to do it!!”
We’ve prayed so hard that she’ll take the ‘low road’, because she really wanted to be in Scotland ‘afore us’. . .’n may the world well remember that surely “T’was ne’re a wee moose who ‘ere left Janie’s kitchen wi’ a t’er in it’s ‘ee”. . . for from all the goodies she baked for so many folks over the years. . . a crumb could surely be found! We’ll love you forever little lady!