We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend. Jan passed away peacefully at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, in Halifax on September 2, 2018, with family at her side after a courageous battle with cancer.
Jan grew up in Sydney, N.S. She attended Sydney Academy and went on to the University College of Cape Breton followed by Laval University where she studied French. Jan graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Physiotherapy in 1990.
A life-long learner, Jan became a Resident of the Canadian Academy of Physical Therapists in 1995 and then a Fellow in 1996. Jan spent most of career in private practice in clinics in Vancouver and Halifax, most recently at South End Physiotherapy Clinic. Jan was a practitioner of exceptional skill, who served our community with the highest professional and ethical standards. She was a great teacher and mentor to the physiotherapy students she taught at Dalhousie University and colleagues through her work as an instructor with the Canadian Orthopedic Division. Jan served on the executives of both the Provincial and National Orthopedic Divisions of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and a committee member of the Nova Scotia College of Physiotherapists.
Jan loved traveling, reading and sports. She enjoyed many winter weekends at Xanadu a packed farmhouse in Wentworth when the kids were young, sharing the space with the Waller and Stewart families. She played competitive soccer for many years and enjoyed her tennis circle immensely. Jan was a devoted and dynamic mother; a proud hockey and lacrosse mom to her boys, and a dance mom to Isabelle. She approached everything in life with incredible strength and fearlessness, spunk and humour, and a deep loyalty to her family and dear friends.
Jan and her family are very grateful for the deep love and unfettered support they received from their family and many friends. They are indebted to countless medical professionals who cared for her and fought with her over these challenging years.
She is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Gary Drohan; sons, Peter and Luke; daughter, Isabelle; parents, Walter and Ruth (Howatson) Leonard of Sydney; sister, Natalie (Mara Vizzutti) and brother, Charles (Linda Alexander) of Halifax; and adoring nephews and nieces; Andrew, Jeffrey, Sam, Ben, Grace, and Molly. And her beloved Smokey.
Visitations will be held at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home at 2666 Windsor St. Halifax on Thursday, September 6th from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 7th at St. Matthew’s United Church, 1479 Barrington St, Halifax. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jan’s memory to a scholarship for Physio students at Dalhousie.
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