b. July 4th 1965 d. November 24th 2022
Janet entered the world on a warm, sunny summer day – not surprising, as she was known throughout her life for her warmth of nature and for brightening up the lives of all around her. She was always energetic and on the move, a natural athlete who especially loved running. When her father was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, she ran a half marathon in Florida to raise money for cancer research. She loved horses and dogs - especially German Shepherds - but most of all she loved her daughters, Dakota and Devyn, and her partner, Kip. Despite an early career in a Partridge Family cover band called The Love Flowers (where she, her sister, and their friends performed on the back porch for their parents) Janet went on to a successful 28-year career in the OPP, following in the footsteps of her father. She was passionate and devoted to her work in the OPP and would have served longer had she not been tragically afflicted with Stage IV Glioblastoma. After her first craniotomy “When can I go back to work?” was the first question she asked her surgeon. While she was never able to return to work, her OPP family was there for her and her family every step of the way, as were her amazing friends and neighbours. Janet was given a 12-14 month diagnosis initially but she refused to be limited to that and extended her time to almost 28 months, being able to be present and even dance at her daughter’s wedding. We are grateful for the brightness, love and laughter she brought to our lives. And we are in awe at how optimistically and graciously she dealt with her diagnosis. We thank her entire health care team especially Dr Emmerson for the palliative care she received and to her RN Robin who was with us through the entirety of this journey.
Janet was predeceased by her father Edward (Ted) MacDonnell. She is survived by her mother Cheryl MacDonnell, her soulmate Kip Wohlert, her daughters Dakota Small (Colin Moore), Devyn Barr (Ethan), her sister Virginia Eichhorn (Paul), nephews Zachary Mandrapilias (Jessica Allen), Matthew Eichhorn (Savannah Hesse) and Joseph Eichhorn, her ever-devoted kitty cat Thunder, and her grand-doggy Journey.
Visitation will take place at Adams Funeral Home (445 St. Vincent St., Barrie) on Friday, December 2nd, 2022 from 4-8 pm followed by a Funeral Mass at St. John Vianney Parish (13 Baldwin Lane, Barrie) on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022 at 11am with reception to follow in the Parish Hall. During the time of reception, eulogies will be shared.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to RVH Cancer Unit, Brain Cancer Canada, Hospice Simcoe, or your local SPCA. In Janet’s memory take some time with your family, go for a walk or run, and, if you are able to, make room in your home for a cat or dog that needs a person.
Messages of condolence can be forwarded to the family through adamsfuneralhome.ca