Janet Margaret Clark
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of Janet Margaret Clark, on October 29, 2022 at the age of 78, after a short and brave battle with cancer.
Janet is survived by her daughter, Rowan Fox (Max Court); her grandchildren, Layla and Winchester Fox, and Hendrix Court; her sister Allison Taylor-McBryde (Chris Ellis); her sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Clark; her nieces, Jennifer Dwyer, and Morgan Haupt (Phillip Harwood); her nephews, David Clark (Bonnie), and John Clark (Crystal); Rowans’ father, Colin Winchester (Tanya); and many great nieces, nephews and extended relatives whom she loved dearly.
She is predeceased by her parents, Ruth and R. David Clark; her brother, Tom Clark; and nephew-in-law, Jerry Dwyer.
Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on September 26, 1944, Janet grew up mainly in the Lethbridge area. She moved to Edmonton to complete her degree in English and Film Studies and Masters in Education at the University of Alberta in 1973. Edmonton was where she lived for the rest of her life, except for a few years in Toronto, where she welcomed her beloved daughter, Rowan. Janet was born to teach and taught high school English for the majority of her career, including becoming the first female Head of the English department at Harry Ainley High School.
Janet was very involved in her church and faith community, having attended Robertson-Wesley United Church for most of her adult life. She participated in scripture readings, Women’s weekends, community dinners, and more, and most Sundays, you’d find her in the kitchen preparing coffee and snacks for Fellowship.
Janet was a lifelong supporter of the Arts. She was a season ticket holder at the Citadel, the Symphony, Baroque, the Ballet, and the Opera, for over 40 years, and loved attending concerts, exhibits, and smaller theatres around Edmonton. She had been on the board of directors for Theatre Prospero and volunteered for numerous art related events like the Fringe Theatre Festival, the Walterdale Theatre, and Freewill Players.
Janet had a passion for travel, which was rooted in her love of learning and experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. She had visited over 30 countries in her lifetime.
Above all, Janet loved spending time with her family and friends. Whether it was holidays with family or ladies lunches, she will be remembered as someone who always made an effort in every relationship she had and made everyone in her life feel special, seen, and loved.
In addition to spending time with her family, Janet enjoyed gardening, reading, being part of multiple book clubs, and correcting people's grammar.
Her celebration of life is scheduled for 12:30PM (MT) on Monday, November 28, 2022 at Robertson-Wesley United Church, 10209-123 Street NW.
In lieu of flowers, Janet requested donations be made to Roozen Family Hospice (Pilgrims Hospice Society), where she received the most amazing care in her final days by the most wonderful staff and volunteers.
I am so sorry that we cannot be there to celebrate Aunt Janet’s life. She was an important part of my life, and I love her very much. She will be sorely missed.
As a very long time friend of Janet I give her family my most heart felt condolences! She was a great knowing bridge player. She so enjoyed being with her CFUW..Canadian Federation of University Women. friends. Through this group we became friends. Last we talked was a couple of weeks ago and she nor I talked about her trouble. She is a dearly missed friend! Miss you Janet. Until we meet again feel my Hugh. Joyce Law
Rowan and family I am sending my families condolences and prayers. Cherish your beautiful memories. She will always be with you all.
Love you sweetie ❤️
Dear Rowan and family,
I am so sorry to hear the news of Janet’s passing. Please know that we are all thinking about you and sending prayers for peace and memories that warm your hearts. We will always remember Janet’s kindness to all of us.
With love, Judy, Mark, Jonah, Elijah & Malachy
Janet was more than a cousin. She was a source of inspiration and always interested in learning about others. I am grateful to be a part of the extended family. She is going to be missed by everyone that got to know her. That twinkle in her eye, the smile that lit the room. So many memories I have to look back on. Rest easy, dear Janet. Your work here on earth is done. Soar with the angels
I volunteered with Janet at the RW Food Bank. She was my ride to and from the Food Bank. I was very fond of JANET and her great big heart. Anyone having the pleasure of meeting Janet grew to love her. I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your mom Rowan.
Your mom was a beautiful soul and will be missed by many.
My Condolence to you and your family.
Yrsa Nielsen
My sincere condolences and I wish you well during your journey through grief.She has taught you well and you will continue on with the wisdom and love she shared. Blessings to the family.
On behalf of DKG Alberta, I would like to extend sincerest condolences to Janet’s family and friends. She was a long-time member of International Women Educators (DKG).
Hello Rowan and family, what a lovely tribute you’ve written about such a wonderful lady. I’ve known her through so many events and places, Robertson-Wesley, UCW, DKG (women educators society,) being almost a neighbour. I’ve worked with her on many committees. She had more really thoughtful, intelligent, right-on suggestions than anyone I know. Her intelligence shone. So did her kindness and outward looking demeanor. She was so quick to deflect praise by giving it back. How I will miss her.
Janet has been a friend and colleague for many years- her enthusiasm for life always amazed me- she always shared about her family and how she would do everything to support them. My thoughts and prayers are with all family and friends missing Janet’s presence among us. rest in peace, dear friend.
Our thoughts are with all of you
Janet was a person that left a wide path through life strewn with many wonderful memories over many years
Ross and Jean Clark
Dear Rowan and family,
Most sincere condolences on the loss of your mother Janet. Our lives will not be the same without her. I pray you and your family continue to feel her love through the life lessons and memories that remain in your hearts.
As Honorary members of the Clark family for 30+years Richard & I were saddened to learn of Janet’s passing and wish to send Love & Blessings to all her family. We have many fond memories of Janet’s stories about all her adventures travelling to many places but especially loved hearing about the family’s time living in Africa.Janet was a true storyteller. Her love of the English language sometimes made some people very cautious of how they spoke or what they said but it was always fun to use a word or mispronounce a word just to see how Janet would react…she had the best laugh. We have many memories of being included in so many family functions over the years and were honored to be included. So grateful to have spoken with Janet recently & to have been able to let her know how much we loved her. God speed Janet. You will be missed 🕊🙏🏻 Richard,Kandas & Family
Thinking of you all during this difficult time. Rowan, it is so wonderful that Janet got to spend great quality time with you and your kids. Nice that she is now at peace; wishing you all comfort through the grieving process and hope that your happy memories will help ease the sadness. ❤️
Dear Rowan and family,
We were so shocked to hear about your Mom. We were out of the country and had no idea she was even ill. The last time we saw her she was happily working in her garden where she always seemed to be and loved. Our hearts go out to you and Max and the kids. Janet was so kind and such a lovely person. She will be missed dearly. Our thoughts are with you as you go through this difficult time.
Janet joined CFUW Edmonton in 2005. In those 17 years with the club she was a joyful presence and joined in many activities of the club. She was an avid reader of applications for the Academic Awards Fund. She donated not only her time but also funds to the AAF and items to silent auctions. She was a valued member of our club, our community of women, supporting each other, working for women and girls, among her many other activities with her family and church. I’m sure many of our members will miss her dearly.
I joined in 2014 so did not know Janet as long as many CFUW Edmonton members but she was one of the members that made a point of welcoming me to the club and telling me some of the great things the club had to offer. We chatted during the Luncheon Group years ago when I had the time to be an active member. She was fun to work with in AAF (as I became more involved assisting AAF these past few years). She was strong advocate for the award applicants in her charge but always in a gracious and excited manner. She loved to read about the work and life of all the women that applied for awards and would say she “wished she could give awards to all her amazing women”. I will miss her energy, laugh, and joyful presence. I won her silent auction donation of a lovely vase at the 2022 Spring Academic Awards Fund fundraiser and have put flowers in it in her memory.
She often spoke of her garden and even in a short replies to emails would remark on it or what she was doing with it – in one reply from 2020 she wrote “I am in the garden most of the time now, even if I am doing nothing but feeling and sniffing the earth”… that is a place I see her in now, enjoying eternity.
Amy Macleod
President, CFUW Edmonton
Rowan and family, you have my deepest sympathy. Praying for your peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time.
I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Janet through CFUW and some of the arts events she attended. She was always a positive and happy person. I visited at the house and observed how much she loved her grandchildren.
My heart goes out to Janet’s family during this time of sadness. May your memories sustain you as you mourn her passing in the days, weeks, and months to come. I knew Janet as a warm and cheerful welcoming presence in my life when I joined CFUW a couple of years ago. I knew her as a wonderful hostess, a thinker, a reader, and one who shared my interest in social justice. I miss her positive outlook already.
Rowan, wrapping you and your family in Love and Light.
I am a contemporary and former colleague of Janet at Harry Ainlay and taught in a room next door to hers for several years. I remember her dealing with a problem of students arriving late to her early morning class by bringing in coffee and muffins which were, however, only available until the start bell rang. She was understanding and genuine, clever and collaborative, and went out of her way to make and keep connections to students and staff.
Since our retirement, we enjoyed annual phone calls exchanging news and views about former colleagues, education, government, travel, health, books, but though her interests were wide-ranging, her heart returned always to family and love.
She was a wonderful person and an excellent teacher.
My condolences Rowan to you and your family.Janet loved you very much and she was a proud grandmother.Janet never hesitated to share your accomplishments with her Canadian Federation University Women of Edmonton. We will miss her enthusiasm for life,her smiles and laughter .Taken way to soon ,Janet ,may you Rest In Peace .Till we meet again my friend .
I would like to send condolences to Janet’s family.
She had kind spirit and a wonderful help on Friday nights sorting bread for those in need.
Janet you will be missed.
Rest in Peace
I’m saddened to lose Janet in my circle of CFUW friends. It turns out that the area in Lethbridge where her parents came from was the same one that my dad and his family had a small farm.
I also go to the symphony and have met her there. And we worked on a couple of scholarship committees together. She was always such an inspiration. I am so sorry for your loss .
It has taken me a very long time to write this message because, quite honestly, I can’t believe such a vital person as Janet has actually passed on. I have known Janet for almost 50 years as both a colleague at Harry Ainlay and most especially as a dear friend and fellow member of the Ladies Lunch group, where we have shared her grief at the death of her parents and her joy, first in the birth of Rowan and then in the birth of her grandchildren. Janet had a very generous spirit and an amazing resiliency no matter how many sorrow came her way, She was one of the kindest people I have ever known, and in her final journey, the most courageous. If there is theatre or opera in heaven, I am sure she is signing up for season tickets. If there are newcomers arriving, I am sure she she is welcoming them. Such was Janet’s faith while alive that I know she is now happy and at peace. I will never forget her.
My condolences to you, Rowan, and your family.
I met Janet when I joined CFUW a few years ago. She was an amazing team member of the AAF Awards committee where she contributed time and money to ensure women striving for their educational goals could do so. I will miss our curb side chats and seeing her grandchildren in the background view of AAF zoom calls. Heartfelt condolences to Janet’s family and friends.
Fond memories of our time as Janet’s neighbours… her kindness and joie de vivre was always heartwarming…
Heartfelt condolences to her friends and family,
Kornel and Moira Kovats