Janice Maureen Deheer

Janice started her journey on 6 May 1952 in Prince Rupert, as the only daughter of Helen and Jim Gilbert. Helen and Jim raised her to be strong and independent, which she was. Her parents were hard working people and whether it was at home, work or play, Janice embodied that same work ethic throughout her life. As a teenager, she moved to Kelowna and attended Dr. Knox Secondary School. Janice moved to Vancouver the summer after her graduation, as she was accepted to the Registered Nurse training program at St Pauls Hospital. Upon completing training, she returned to Kelowna, where for the next 40 years she worked in various roles from nursing to corporate leadership with Interior Health, where she was able to touch many peoples lives, and made many lifelong friends along the way, including meeting her husband and best friend Martin. Janice also had two sons, Michael and Scott, from her first marriage to Steve Carter.

Janice had many fulfilling interests and hobbies that she picked up over the years. Too many to list. Family and friends were the foremost of those listed, whether it was being the best mother and wife around, to being a great friend to those in her life. She was always ready for a good conversation, a walk, a coffee, or a happy hour with those people important to her. Over the years, travel became a major staple in her life. She loved to travel to many new places, near and far, whether by cruise ship with Martin, off on one of her girl’s trips to somewhere new and exotic, or on her annual trip to the Cook Islands with friends, to beat the Kelowna winters. She also cherished the trips she would make to Toronto/Montreal/Vancouver/Seattle/New York/Bermuda, to visit her two sons.

Another major love in her life was the water. Being a Prince Rupert girl, she loved a good rainstorm. Janice was always at her happiest when she was in a body of water. She spent countless hours in Okanagan Lake with her family, but also traveling to all corners of the globe to enjoy a new beach or pool.

Janice touched so many lives over her 72 years and she was so happy to have shared that time with all. Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday August 17th at 2 p.m. at First Memorial Funeral Home in Kelowna. In lieu of flowers, please donate to either BC Cancer Foundation or KGH Foundation.