After a battle with cancer, Janet Fox passed away peacefully on December 27, 2014, surrounded by her family. She is survived by Stan, her husband of 60 years, son Charles (Kari), daughter Janet (Keith), and granddaughter, Natalie.
Janet was born and raised in North Vancouver, the middle daughter of Captain Charles W. and Suzanne Cates. Janet was full of life and laughter inheriting her father’s love of storytelling and singing. After the birth of her children she became a force in the co-op kindergarten movement, a primary school teacher, and later, in Toronto, a supervisor and trainer for a national retail clothing company where she mentored many young women in their career journeys.
Although she took her work very seriously, home and community service were where Janet’s heart truly belonged. Whether it was assisting Stan as a wise critic of his film and television projects, or helping her son, Charles, or daughter Janet with their interests, she gave of herself fully.
Soon after retiring from her professional career, she was stricken with dystonia, a painful, incurable nervous disorder. Despite this handicap she helped organize a support group in Victoria. Janet touched many hearts in her journey through life.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Louise Fox
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Lois V Harrison First to Stan and the children, my deepest condolences for the loss of your amazing Janet.
I am sad to have just learned of her passing.As if she didn’t have enough to contend with, then cancer?
We managed to share some special times, I always enjoyed her company and enthusiasm.
Her insights were quite brilliant, a witty woman of great kindness.
Generous.
She never showed anything less than praise and encouragement for her Stanley – a more loyal doting wife would be impossible to find.
She was a joyful soul.I felt close to Janet, had she more time and energy in these later years, we would have shared more time together: Doing Girl Stuff, during my twice monthly, or more, visits, before I moved to Sidney.
Her wonderful presence will be very missed by all who knew her.
I have many fond memories.She was a true patron to art, and artists.
Thank you Janet for opening your heart and mind to my work.
Hard losing a loved one, hardest losing one who loved us.
Lois V Harrison,
Sidney, British Columbia
– See more at: http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/timescolonist/janet-w-fox-condolences/173711016?cid=full#sthash.Hfsg2l4v.dpuf
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Brent and Frances Straughan Dear Stan,
How unutterably, and irredeemably sad your news: must it be so, must it be?
-and yet what wonderful memories we share of Janet’s charm, vivacity and intelligence – sheer “presence” of mind. I see her fond smile beaming up at me when I arrived one day “Oh, Brent”, she said, “ I am so glad to see you, I was afraid Stan would suffer from gadget deprivation!”
We are old friends, and have long borne our share of burdens together, but nothing like this. I am so, terribly, terribly sorry.
Death is a shadow that falls upon every sea, but love must be our answer; for it is as great and as strong, and vast as the ocean itself. May the forever of love help to carry the burdens of grief from your heart.
With every kind wish,
Brent and Frances
-To Janet, I am so sorry for your loss. No one and nothing can replace the wisdom and care of a Mother. You will wish many times she were still there to talk to for the rest of your life and that in itself is a lasting tribute to her. May God Bless you all.
Frances
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Gina McGavin Dear Stan and family
Janet is so much in my thoughts. We shared so much and talked about both serious and amusing things on our thrice weekly travels. I miss those times. I will remember her for her wisdom, her appreciation of all that was good and beautiful and her wonderful laugh. Thank you for sharing her with me.
Gina McGavin
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Gladys Richards Dear Stan, Please accept my condolences on the recent death of your wife. I know the grief you are feeling. Sincerely, Gladys Richards
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Sheila Martindale Dear Stan: On behalf of the Victoria Writers’ Society, I wish to express our sadness over your loss. We wish you strength in this new year – please know you are in our thoughts and hearts.
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Dave and Marion Dixon Stan, we have just heard the sad news and we both extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. We will always remember those happier times.
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Alastair Wilson Dear Stan
My condolences to you and your Family at this sad time. Among her many achievements, Janet was instrumental in establishing a Victoria support group for the Canadian Branch of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. At that time, many doctors were not familiar with this neurological disorder and misdiagnosed it. You can imagine the relief of Dystonia sufferers upon learning that they were not alone.
Alastair Wilson
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Desmond H Risdon Dear Stan Fox
I am deeply saddened to learn your sad news and send you and your family my condolences. I remember Janet with great affection for when she and I were part of the Sudor play reading and discussion group back in the early 1960s. Janet was such a sweet soul with brilliant insights. RIP Janet.
Des Risdon
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Colleen Murphy Dear Stan, Little Janet, Charlie, Natalie and all the family,
We send you our deepest condolences. Janet was a feisty and delightful person. We have many happy memories of time spent with her and hold her high in our hearts.
love, Colleen Murphy and August Murphy-King
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Brenda Cates Janet was truly a daughter of Charles Warren and Suzanne Cates. She had the sweet manner and calming voice which was a trait of all the females in the family. She will be dearly missed by so many. My thoughts are with Stan, Charlie and Janet and families.
Brenda .
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Murray Battle Stan,
I will always remember Janice smiling, welcoming me, asking about my sons. She was such a positive, caring friend. Always thinking, always eager to discuss our lives, the world. I will miss her, Stan.
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Doug & Sue McGarvey Dear Charlie, Janet and Stan. Sue and I would like you to know we are thinking of all of you at this time. Janet always made us feel welcome to your home as she took a genuine interest in us and offered support with warmth and good humour. I feel truly fortunate and privileged to have met Janet all those years ago.
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Rudy Buttignol Dear Stan. On behalf of Knowledge Network, I would like to offer our sincerest condolences to you and your family. I will cherish the afternoon we spent together with Janet and you and Murray this past June in your backyard. It was a warm and sunny day. Janet was full of intelligent and thoughtful insights on the direction of public television and community service. — And she was a most generous support of Knowledge as well. That is how I will always remember dear Janet.
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Cathy Van Elslande Dear Stan and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you Stan for having shared your Janet with us in the essays you wrote about your early lives together, particularly for taking our writing group with you on your honeymoon. I will remember Janet fondly. Cathy Van Elslande
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Peter Hutchinson Dear Stan and family,
On behalf of all of us at CBC Radio Victoria I offer our sincere condolences over your loss.
Peter Hutchinson
Program Manager,
CBC Victoria
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Dale Turner Dear Stan and family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of Janet to your family and to the world. She was always so gracious any time I met her.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Dale and Wendi Turner
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philippa steel Dear Stan, Charlie, Janet and Natalie,
I am so very sorry to hear your sad news. The friendship of your family has been a constant delight and privilege in my life for so many years, the loss of Janet leaves a great gap in my personal landscape of joy.
I am sure the support of family and her many friends will be a comfort to you all at this deeply distressing time, and I join them in sending condolences with much love and sympathy.
Philippa
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Carol Burtin Fripp Janet was such a positive force, so giving, and such a support to Stan. We met when Stan was Head of Adult Programming at TVOntario, in the 1980’s, and Janet made such an impression!
It was a privilege to have known her; Robert, Will (my son) and I send deepest condolences to Stan and to their children.
love from us all,
Carol Fripp and famlly
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Janyce Mann & Tony Brown Dear Janet Keith and Natalie
Love and hugs to you at this sad time. She is at peace. She is on a new journey now. Our thoughts are with you.
Love Janyce and Tony
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Cordelia Styles Many of my childhood memories are of staying summers with my Auntie Janet. I remember one summer in which she took my cousin (who is also Janet) to my first movie at a theater, it was Sleeping Beauty!
I also remember her being very artistic and she sewed us matching dresses.
I am deeply sorry for your loss Uncle Stan, Charlie (Kari) and Teeny (Kieth) and Natalie. Much Love Delia
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Donna & Willie Woo Dear Janet, Keith and Natalie,
We are so sorry to hear about your Moms passing. Please know that we are thinking of you and your family and sending prayers.
Donna & Willie
xo
Although I’m not in touch with the Fox family these days, I am sorry for the passing of Janet. Janet was a kind person who was ‘Grandma Janet’ to my two sons whom she treated so lovingly. I have many fond memories of Janet Fox.