Janet Lillian Evans passed away peacefully on September 25, 2023 at the age of 90 in Toronto. She is survived by her sons, Eric and Kenneth, their wives, Martha and Sue, and four granddaughters, Ann, Emily, Liana and Kate, as well as her sister-in-law, Joan Harper.
Janet grew up in Toronto and moved to Gravenhurst with her husband, Roger, during the early 1960s to raise their two sons in a small-town environment. Sadly, Roger passed away in 1967 at the age of 36, leaving Janet with two young sons to raise and very limited resources.
Her response to this difficult situation exemplifies Janet’s grit, determination, and love of her children. She packed the family up and moved back to Toronto to attend the Ontario Teachers College. Upon graduation, the family returned north where she began a 25-year career teaching at Gravenhurst Public School, initially as an elementary teacher and later as a teacher librarian. Along the way, she attended Wilfred Laurier University part time and was the first in her family to graduate from university. Her library science certificate followed along the way. The example she set for her sons clearly motivated them, with both having multiple graduate degrees and successful careers – a major source of pride and satisfaction for her.
Janet loved the arts and was deeply involved with the local Gravenhurst theatre group as an actor, director, and administrator, and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Muskoka Summer Theatre. Ballet was a particular passion of hers. She was a long-time National Ballet Company ticketholder and went on several tours to Europe organized through the ballet. Janet was also active as member of Trinity United Church and held officer positions in the Federation of Women Teachers of Ontario and Muskoka Retired Teachers Association.
Upon retirement, Janet moved to Barrie to be closer to family, where she lived most of the rest of her life. In retirement, she continued to travel extensively, chaired her condo building association and was active in the lives of her children, grandchildren, nephews, and nieces. She will be greatly missed.
A memorial service for Janet will be held at Trinity United Church in Gravenhurst on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, at 1:30 pm. She will be interred in Mickle Memorial Cemetery in Gravenhurst, reflecting her desire to permanently return to Gravenhurst. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated by the family. Online condolences and memories may be left at www.steckleygooderham.com