It is with deepest sorrow that the family of Mrs. Janice Ross announces her passing Thursday, July 8, 2004 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Janice was a loving, kind, generous, and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, and friend among friends. She passed away at the St. Joseph’s Hospice Unit with her family by her side.
She never lost her hope, and remained strong and determined through her difficult treatments. Her strength was amazing. Her practical no-nonsense approach to life always shone through even while facing the most difficult prognosis.
She was born March 11, 1945 in Fort Frances, Ont. to the late James and Ellen Munro. She was their only girl. Growing up among five brothers helped her develop her sense of humour!
Janice graduated from Fort Frances High School as an honours student in 1963. After graduation, she moved to Atikokan, Ont. to work for the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
Here she met her husband, John. They married in 1964 and raised three children in the small town before moving to Thunder Bay, Ont. in 1980. Janice worked at H&R Block for several years, before deciding to return to school and receive her college diploma in business in 1987.
She never lost her zest for learning. Janice enjoyed the challenges of learning and strived for excellence in her studies, and always was rewarded for her work ethic, obtaining many exam marks of 100 percent.
Janice worked for Red Cross as a homemaker before retiring in 2000 after 15 years of service. Her loving and giving nature made her a favourite with the clients.
Her home and family were her pride and joy. She especially loved her grandchildren and spent as much time as she possibly could with them all.
Janice also enjoyed camping, reading, and cooking. She spent many volunteer hours in arenas around the northwest as an accountant for the Canadian Figure Skating Association.
Janice touched the lives of many people during her lifetime. All those who knew her had their lives enriched by her generosity and unconditional acceptance of all the people she encountered throughout her life.
She will be sadly missed by all.
Janice is survived and lovingly missed by her husband, John; son, Eugene (Janis Miller); daughters, Anita Sakiyama (Michael) and Laura; and grandchildren, Mitchell Barath, Jessica Ross, and Melissa Miller, Keeler, Carter, and Hannah Sakiyama.
She also is survived by her step-mother, Emily Munro; brothers, Fred Munro (June), Jack Munro (Dean), Keith Munro (Betty), Donnie Munro (Joy), and Jim Munro (Mary); aunts, Elva Ossachuck and Bernice Miller; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents, Mary Ellen and James Munro; and step-mother, Iris Munro.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2004 when friends and family will gather for funeral mass at 12:10 p.m. in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, celebrated by Rev. David Gillen.
Services will be complete in the church, with cremation to follow.
Visitation will be Monday, July 12, 2004 form 2-4 p.m. in the Blake Funeral Chapel, followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for vigil services Monday at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate in memoriam donations to the Northern Cancer Research Foundation or Hospice Northwest-Circle of Friends.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
