Janet - reflections by her husband, Roger.

Read by Kate Kenny at Janet’s funeral service.

On August 15, 1943 Wilma Hartenbower was living with her parents in Fort Scott Kansas when Janet was born.

Carey her father could not be there because he was an officer in the US Army at Fort Bliss in Texas training with an anti-aircraft battalion.

About a month later he had leave and was able finally to go and meet his daughter, Janet Sue.

Soon, though, he was posted to northern California for further training.

Due to the uncertainty of those times, and once Janet was a month old and able to travel, Wilma and her daughter along with a milk supply boarded a train headed for northern California so that Carey could see Janet before he was posted overseas.

Wilma and Janet returned to Fort Scott and lived with Wilma’s parents until Carey returned from the South Pacific  in December 1945.

The three of them moved into a house in Tonganoxi, near Kansas City.

In 1947 Janet’s father enrolled in Medical School in Lawrence, Kansas and upon graduating in 1951 the family moved west to Salina, Kansas where he was a GP for 10 years. 

Those early years were idyllic ones for Janet. 

In Junior High School she became a baton twirler with the school marching band, but on one occasion, to her great embarrassment, the baton got away and ended up under a parked car.

In Senior High School she sang acapello in a choir and played the clarinet.

She also enjoyed the pop music of the 1950's, the Kingston Trio in particular.  In fact she learned the lyrics of almost all pop songs and sometimes wondered what else she learned in those days.

In 1961 the family moved to Kansas City where Carey trained to become a radiologist.

In 1961 Janet enrolled at a small university in Baldwin, Kansas but transferred for her final two years of university to the Education Department at Kansas State University, in Manhattan.

It was in late 1963 on a blind date that Janet met Roger.  The frequent discovery of plates of delicious  brownies in his car convinced Roger that Janet was for him.

In fact, over the years Janet became famous for her brownies.  In the late 1990's, for example, when conservation volunteers from the UK working on the trail system at Trent University were entertained at our cottage, Janet’s plates of brownies were the first to disappear.

In 1964 Roger graduated with an MSc. in Plant Pathology and Janet continued her education studies, graduating in 1965.

Roger returned to Kansas in summer 1965 and they were married in Kansas City on July 17th.  

Roger had arrived at Kansas City airport with several bottles of Bristol Cream sherry dangling from his neck.  Apparently, future mother-in-law muttered “What on earth are we getting into?”

The couple returned to Cardiff, in Wales where Roger was working on his Ph.D. in plant ecology.

Janet was well received by the family “old-uns” and “young-uns”.

There were many happy visits to the Jones farm in Herefordshire on the border with mid-Wales and meeting local “characters”.

Coming from Kansas to Cardiff and rural Britain was quite a culture shock - but Janet quickly adjusted to half-pennies, thrupenny bits and the like and putting a shilling in the gas meter for cooking. 

Initially, Janet could not understand why her mother-in-law produced excellent roast beef for Sunday dinners but some weeks it tasted not so good.  She wondered about refrigeration since the butcher left the meat on the kitchen table every Saturday morning.  However, Janet realised one day that the off-roast beef was actually roast lamb.  She developed a taste for lamb and served it frequently during their marriage.

Janet’s father-in-law introduced her to baby lambs and pigs and other farm animals.  She didn’t learn to drive a tractor, though.

One day, Janet discovered a full sized horse in the pantry but did not panic. With Roger’s help they coaxed it out.

Janet taught infants in a school in Tiger Bay, Cardiff - a very different experience to practice teaching in Manhattan, Kansas.

Roger finished his PhD in 1967 and accepted a position at Trent University as a lecturer teaching plant biology.

Their first son, Michael was born in November 1967 in Salina, Kansas and mother and son flew to Canada in January 1968.  Michael gained a brother, Brian 14 months later.

Janet had a keen sense of fun and many happy hours were spent wandering in the woods with the boys,  and kicking up leaves each fall.  

There were many trips to the UK and to European countries.  Also when the boys were small, trips were made back to Salina until, in 1978, her mother and father moved to Peterborough so that they could spend more time with the Jones family.

Janet enjoyed canoeing on annual Peterborough Field Naturalists outings and particularly around their cottage on Stony Lake.  

She also enjoyed playing bridge with a group of lady friends.

In later years she joined the Peterborough Historical Society and thoroughly enjoyed the days when school  children visited Hutchinson House.  She also joined Fairview United church and often assisted with their dinners.

She kept in touch with high-school and college friends.  One of her high school friends, Dena, sent Janet  a note of encouragement and a card every week during her awful year at PRHC.

She will be missed by Roger, by her family in Ontario and in the US, as well as by the Jones family and relatives in the UK and South Africa.

Dear  Roger   and  Family   
Thinking of  you   at  this  difficult  time.  
With  all   our  love  
Jane, Lucy, Keith, Molly, Olivia and Sophie

Aurevoir dear friend.
Happy memories................................Old Bodnob.

Janet, my sister-in-law, was such a sweet-natured soul who had a good word to say about everyone.
We have lovely memories of her, particularly on trips that the four of us did toegther - to Manas in France, on the cruise ship in Alaska, then the trips over the Rockies and around New England.
She was such a comfortable and welcoming hostess when we stayed with Janet and Roger, and yes, the abiding memories of the big potato chip packet next to the chair and the 7 Up, and the double thumbs-up with the satisfied grin!

Janet was always constant. Always thoughtful, and constantly making people feel special in little ways. 

My first memory of meeting her as a small child on holiday at the farm - being given an "appointment time" - having to report to the small sitting room for our meeting... Jee I was nervous! :)

She had put so much effort into this meeting - thoughtful gifts - having taken into account everything she knew about me - and making notes on our chat - "I want to really get to know you". 

The Cook Book for children that she gave me had the now famous "Disgustingly Rich Chocolate Brownies" recipe in it. I make these SO often. My Winnie the Pooh mug is still her at home too :)

Warmth
Kindness
Positivity
Humming in the kitchen
Always interested
Thoughtful
Always "cool"
Up-beat
 
We can be truly proud that Janet was family. 
Janet was wonderful to all of us and was someone that we can be so honoured to have had in our lives.

Janet, I hope you're having an awesome time in your new place with all the freedom in the world to do whatever you want, whenever you want to. I'm sure you have crisps and 7up, and your hair sits JUST as you like it EVERY day.

xxx

Dear Roger, Mike, Brian, Stephanie, Matthew, William and Carey,

I am so sorry that you are going through this difficult time. Janet was a very special person and will be fondly remembered and missed by so many people.

Holidays at the farm in the UK with her were the best as she added so much fun and laughter to every day. I remember going out for tea in Leominster, instant hamburgers and chocolate-chip cookies (brought all the way from Canada!)..and of course the documented getting-to-know-your-nieces one-on-one interviews in the front room! Making that time for us is what made her so special.

We all try to go through life at such a hectic pace and Janet is one of those enlightened souls that teaches us the beauty of appreciating the still, quiet moments. We can all treasure her memory through all of our experiences with her.

Sending much love,

Dear Brian, Steph, Matt & Will,

Please accept our deepest sympathies. May your wonderful memories of mom bring comfort now and in the coming days. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time. 

Gene, Elizabeth, Deepak & Neelesh.

There are so many common themes that run through all that has been said to date. Janet's unconditional generosity of heart, her smile, her laughter, her sense of humour and her zest for life.  All of these begin to shed light upon  Janet, the unique person who was loved by us all.  

I thank God for your life Janet, but most of all for the love and warmth you have always showed to me over the last 11 years. I will miss your listening ear,  your discerning thoughts, your long stories and (most of all) your loving hugs.  Thanks for teaching us all to love life to the full, and to love those who journey with us on the way.  May you rest in peace dear Janet.  With much love.

Dear Brian and family,
         Our thoughts are with you this week. The past year we have witnessed your strength and grace during such a difficult time. You are the true meaning of family and we are very thankful that Brittany has such a wonderful mentor and friend. Your tribute to your Mom is such an honour and her grandchildren will have such wonderful memories to keep in their hearts. Your dedication to your family and friends is a reflection upon how your parents have raised you. Stay strong my friend.

 Lorne, Shelley and Ashlee Lemick
     Whitby

Chris and I extend our sincerest condolences to Roger, Carey, Michael, Brian, Stephanie, Matthew and William on the loss of Janet, a devoted Wife Mother, Grandmother and Daughter.

I will miss you Grandma. 

I'm sorry that you were in the hospital.  I will miss snuggling and sleeping on you.  You did so much special stuff.  You took us to McDonalds and played toys with me.  I wish I could visit you in heaven.

I love you Grandma.

Love,
William

I  wish  you  were  still  alive, because I loved you. 

Your brownies were awesome because they were made with lots of love. I will miss your special treats. My favourite memory is taking the train with you at the zoo on your birthday.  I had fun going to England with you and wish we could do it again.  I liked it when you gave us the Toblerone at the hospital.

I love you Grandma and I will miss you always.

Love Matthew

Janet will be greatly missed by all of us who loved her and enjoyed being with her. Thankfully we are well blessed with so many happy memories through which Janet will live for ever in our hearts. The wonderful photographs on this Guest Book conjure up vivid recollections of the many times we so happily shared with Janet over the years. Thank you Janet for being YOU.
Our thoughts are with you Carey and you Roger and with Michael, Brian, Stephanie, William and Matthew at this time. God bless you all and may you be helped to be strong.
Our love to each one of you.
Sister-in-law Mary and Sydney.

At such a sad time for everyone who knew and loved Janet, this is also a time of thanks. Thanks to Carey and Wilma for sharing their little girl with us all.Thanks to Roger for bringing her into our family; and most of all, thanks to Janet herself for all that she brought to our lives. I have so many memories it's hard to think which to share;  but the image of Janet that keeps coming into my mind these past few days is of her in tee-shirt and shorts,lying in the hammock at the cottage with a book in one hand and a 7-up in the other. Totally at peace, and thankful for all that she had. Well Janet, today it's time for us to be thankful, and this nephew of yours certainly is. Thank you Aunty Janet.

It was a real privilege to know Janet over so  many years.  We always looked forward to seeing her with Roger in Leominster, England.  She always took a great interest in everyone around her and she really was kindness personified. We shall miss her enormously and our thoughts are with Roger and Carey and all the family in North America at this difficult time.     
Love from Richard and Edmund.

To Brian and family,
      I am thinking of you and praying for your family at this time. It has been wonderful to be able to work beside Brian for the past two years. Your strength and love for your family is something that will stay with you during this difficult time. I know how much you care about your family, and it inspires me to be able to know such a dedicated son, husband, father and teacher. Please know that we are all keeping your family in our thoughts. 

Brittany Lemick

You enriched our lives Janet.  Your kindness and generosity brought us great happiness and joy.  You always made us feel welcome in your home.

These are just small tokens of how wonderful a person you were.

You'll forever be in our hearts.

Thank you.

Aunty Janet =  ALWAYS a hug; always a kind and loving word at the right time; a chocolate brownie right when you need one; always a card for your birthday; a shared love of Winnie the Pooh; that fantastic red lipstick; always a good book to recommend; just a handful of potato chips in the evening; Tim Horton's; memories of that brilliant hairdryer at New House Farm (the one with the hose attached to the cap!); a wicked sense of humour; the smell of Charlie perfume when I was little; someone who made this niece feel very special and who will be missed terribly.

My sincere condolences to the entire Jones family.  Through our parents' teachings, our childrens' lives live through their elders legacy.  May the entire Jones family continue to appreciate the memories and may Matthew and William live under their grandma's guidance for many years to come.

Your were, and will always remain, a fixture in our lives. Through your kind ways we have all learned alot about life and much more about living. Thank you for simply being you and sharing all that you are with us.

To Roger and your family
Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. It was saddenning to see her last autumn with her life constrained as it was. My hope was that with her spirit and the help of the medical profession she would overcome. I have memories of meeting her in earlier times and appreciated her generous, welcoming and cheerful nature. May the sum of all memories of Janet bring you peace and may she rest in peace. 
George

I am Rick Tracy and I knew Janet Jones.

Upon my first encounter with Janet; (I was a very younge boy not older than 9 or 10 years of age) she showered me with her heart-warming presence, benevolence, and kindness.  Janet made me feel so welcomed to be in her home in peterborough.  

The first memory I have of Janet that I will forever have....
Well, I was offered some of her brownies (I was unaware as to how delectable they were) after tasting them, I became flummoxed amd flabbergasted as to how one could make something such as brownies taste SO GREAT!!!!  

As a result, I expressed to Janet why I loved her brownies so much.  So...
She offered a few for me to take home... OH HOW HAPPY I WAS!!!
But really, When you're 9 years old... This is a superb act of kindness; Even now, being 23... I STILL would love to have some of those brownies to take home.

I then began to express my love for food and cooking... and how I aspired to be a chef one day.  Janet understood my sincere appreciation, and shortly after she shared her tasty secret recipe with me!

I WAS SO HONORED!!!  

I further expressed to her my love food and cooking,
and she said how she would love to come and eat at my restaurant one day.


This is just one small example as to how Janets benevolence has become an inspiration to me.

Furthermore, the multitude of selfless kind acts upon Janets behalf (there are too many to count) will forever be immortalized within me.

I will miss you Janet.  
                                       Rick Tracy

OBITUARY

Janet Sue Janet Sue Hartenbower Jones

15 August, 1943 – 12 March, 2010

Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre

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