Janine Johnson Madison

Janine Johnson Madison of Winter Park passed away on October 4, 2016, after a prolonged and courageous battle with a complex neurodegenerative brain disorder. Janine was born June 6, 1932, in Jacksonville Florida, the daughter of Lily Weigand Johnson and Pierce Johnson. She was a loving and beloved wife, mother, stepmother and grandmother. Janine was raised on Amelia Island, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia, and considered both cities an integral part of her heritage and roots. She attended Fernandina Beach High School and graduated from Savannah High School. Following high school, she attended Armstrong College, also in Savannah. Beginning in her school career and continuing throughout her adult life Janine was an avid and capable athlete - excelling in a variety of sports including basketball and tennis. Her passion was tennis, which she played throughout her life and continued to play until her Tretorns® had to be retired. She was an active social member and tennis enthusiast at both the Winter Park Racquet Club and Interlachen County Club. She also held the distinct honor of being the first woman to serve on the Winter Park Racquet Club Board of Directors and Rotary Club of Fernandina Beach. Janine moved to Winter Park in 1962 where she raised four children and established herself in the community of which she was so fond. While maintaining her residence in Winter Park, she returned in the early 1980’s to her home on Amelia Island to rebuild her family’s seafood restaurant, The Sandbar. She worked tirelessly for 18 years to honor the business her mother and father had started the year she was born. The Sandbar, known for its extraordinary food and rustic local environment, developed many devoted customers from points near and far. Service and generosity to others were hallmarks of Janine’s legacy. Throughout her years, her involvement in the Junior Service League, First United Methodist Church of Winter Park, the National Federation of Republican Women and Rotary International and a variety of environmental and mission-based outreach initiatives provided an outlet for her generosity, leadership and commitment to loving and serving others both locally and globally. Prior to her illness, Janine and her husband, Dr. Jim Madison of Winter Park, were able to spend time pursuing their shared passions including: sailing on their sloop Don Quijote, traveling and attending and supporting local art and music programs. Janine had a love of and talent for entertaining and creating a beautiful home environment, which she enjoyed sharing with others?especially her family. Janine is survived by her husband, James B. Madison III; her children Read Hayes, Dale Hayes (Kathy) and Anne Carley Blay of Gainesville Florida; Neal Hayes (Sandy) of Winter Park; her stepchildren Elyse Anderson of Maitland; James B. Madison IV of Orlando; Stacy McNamara of Chuluota; Kristi Meyers of Tampa Florida, and 20 grandchildren to whom she was known as “Gammy.”

A memorial service will be held to remember and celebrate Janine’s life at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Park on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. A reception will follow immediately in the Fellowship Hall where the family will receive friends and visitors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you kindly consider contributions to the First United Methodist Children’s Home in Enterprise, Florida.