50, of Odessa, known for her quick wit with a wide smile, biting commentary with a sharp tongue and fierce loyalty to friends, family, pets and causes died May 11, leaving a gaping hole in the lives of many, especially her beloved daughters Erin and Kelly, who were raised to be as fierce as she. Born in Vero Beach, it wasn’t long after her high school graduation that she headed to Tampa to attend the University of South Florida, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications. She would use that knowledge to its full capacity during a 25-year career at The Tampa Tribune, working in the Research & Archive Department, eventually becoming a creative contributor and editor at TBO.com, the online partner of the newspaper. Beyond writing and posting breaking daily news, she wrote frequent online columns, such as the popular “Free and Cheap,” a run-down of the best sales and coupons available that week and where readers could score free stuff from doughnuts to school supplies. After The Tribune closed, she found work at Bisk Education and, most recently, at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. As its executive director, Janine kept the membership engaged remotely during the pandemic on pressing local issues and solutions. Political activism, too, became an important part of her life and she would carry placards for protests, knock on doors to tout candidates or help sign up new voters. Rescue animals also played a big role in Janine’s life and she is survived by three well-loved cats. But the true loves of her life were her daughters with former husband, popular author Tim Dorsey. She passionately supported Erin and Kelly in their educational, athletic and career pursuits as well as being a font of the best motherly advice, sometimes given with sugar or a dose of spice. She always was the loudest cheerleader at her daughters’ flag-football games, band concerts and graduations at T.R. Robinson High School, Auburn University and the University of South Florida. She found love again with entrepreneur Peter Yore, who also died in the accident that took Janine. Her passion, fierceness and loyalty is profoundly missed by daughters Erin Kelting Dorsey and Kelly Paige Dorsey; her parents, Henry Eugene Losey and Linda Ellen Lynam Losey; her brother, Guy Losey; and nephews, Blake and Evan Losey. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 20, from 4 to 6 p.m. at 81Bay Brewing Co., 4465 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa. In lieu of flowers please give to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay or Planned Parenthood.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.0