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Janet passed peacefully at her Cobourg home with her family by her side on Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 in her 69th year. She was a wonderful family person - beloved wife of Peter McKenna; loving mother of Sterling (Tammy) and Kristin (Hope) and step-mother of Mike (Mel), Steve (Angela) and Jeff; proud Nana of April, Henry, Ayodele, Lolade, Molly, Kate and Nicole; cherished daughter of Joyce and late father Alec Glover; dear sister of Steven (Patty), David, (Marie), Nancy (Bill), Robert (Denise), Sara Jane (Alex), and Scott (Jody); and lovingly remembered by her many nieces and nephews.
Janet was the first of seven children born to Joyce and Alec. The early years revolved around family and friends on the Glover farm in Percy Township, with three generations sharing the large farmhouse. As the oldest she assumed an extra load in helping to feed and raise her younger siblings in that busy household. All of them acknowledge that role she played in their lives. She started school in 1958, completing her elementary education at White School, the local one room schoolhouse, with the same teacher for all eight years. That was followed by high school in Campbellford. From this quiet and traditional rural setting the family observed the rapid changes in the rest of the world over the 1950’s and 60’s – a man on the moon, assassinations of prominent leaders and civil unrest in the US, the rock and roll revolution with first Elvis and then the Beatles, and wonderful scientific advances in all fields. These events were observed with great curiosity but also a sense of detachment as all of that happened far away with only limited impact on our rural lives. Percy moved from one room country schools and party line telephones only in 1967. Janet was to leap into the center of that strange outside world with her decision to study home economics at Ryerson in 1970 and live in the core of downtown Toronto. Imagine the excitement of this bold move for her. She graduated with her Diploma in 1973.
Her early working years were in the food industry in the Toronto region, followed by a move to the Kitchener- Waterloo region and a shift to the financial services industry until her retirement from Sun Life in 2015. The birth of her children and grandchildren were joyous milestones in a life devoted to family. There was much celebration with the birth of Sterling in 1978 (the first Glover grandchild for Joyce and Alec) and Kristin in 1980. Vacationing at the Twin Lakes cottage, her many overseas trips (to Europe with Kristin, Great Britain with Joyce, Portugal and Spain with Peter, Australia to visit Peter’s son Steve), hikes with Steven and Patty to see the mountain flowers in the Rockies and the many Glover family gatherings in Northumberland, always revolved around family. Peter quickly and effortlessly melded into this family focus after the two met in 1992, married in 1994 and in 2015 moved to Cobourg. Janet’s grandchildren have been her main focus over the last few years and have brought her so much joy. Their favourite memories of Nana will be playing at the beach in Cobourg, baking gingerbread cookies, making apple sauce, doing crafts, and being together outdoors. Watching her grandchildren play in the sand, or riding their bikes were a great source of happiness; her days with her grandchildren were filled with love and laughter. Family and friends have benefited so much from their time with Janet over her 68 years and having observed the love, strength, grace and resolve she always demonstrated, including in her five-year battle with cancer. But alas she could not win that one and she now rests in peace.
At Janet’s request there will be a celebration of life at a later date. We would like to thank the amazing staff at the Palliative Care unit at Northumberland Hills Hospital and Saint Elizabeth Health Care for all of their care and support for Janet over the past year. In Janet’s memory, donations may be made to the Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation, the Saint Elizabeth Foundation or plant a memory tree with Tree Canada.
Dear Kristin, Hope, Ayodele and Lolade, Leslie and I would like to send you are deepest condolences. We are thinking of you at this very sad time. You and your mom shared many great experiences together - lovely memories to have.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Saint Elizabeth Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Saint Elizabeth Foundation
Kristin, my deepest condolences to you and your family. May you rest assured knowing that your mom is pain free now and in a better place. Sending my prayers.
Kristin, My deepest condolences to you and your entire family. It sounds like your entire family had many great experiences and adventures with your Mom.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
I am very sorry to hear of Janet's passing. I worked with her at Sun Life and I always remember her welcoming smile on my first day. My deepest sympathies to the family.
I’m sending my deepest condolences to all of Janet’s family. I've had the pleasure of meeting Peter a few times. I worked closely with Janet at Sun Life for many years before my retirement in 2014, and she orchestrated the best party ever for my departure. I’m sure you know that Janet was a special person. It was obvious how much she loved all of her family, and the adventures she had with you travelling. At work she was organized, looked after the details, and got the work accomplished straightaway. I will always remember her kindness.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
We were so blessed to have had Janet here in Cobourg for the past five years. We spent almost every special occasion with her, her beaming smile and great cooking always the first through the door. The memories I'll cherish the most are of the countless, impromptu drop-ins at her cozy apartment. She would quickly produce a plate of cheese and crackers and be full of questions about everything going on in the family and business. We'll miss her so much.
Janet was my first mentor in Sunlife. I remember her as a forgiving teacher and very kind human being. She instilled the values of discipline , hard work and patience in me. She was a inspiration. I am deeply saddened after hearing this news. Although I never met her but it feels like I have lost someone close to me. I will forever be grateful for the impact she had on my life working with her. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Nancy - I would have known Janet to be your sister... you are look alikes. What an amazing life she lived, and the legacy she left is one she could be so proud of.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Tree Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Saint Elizabeth Foundation
Dear Kristin, Hope, Ayodele and Lolade, Please know I am sending my love and deepest condolences. I know this must be a difficult loss for all of you. You are all close in my heart as I think of all during this time. Love, Cheryl xo
What a beautiful and fulling life Janet had! She was a woman of many talents and adventures. Someone to look up to. It was so nice to hear what role she played in everyone's life and how she made this world a better place. She was definitely here for a reason and purpose. I'm so happy that she got her wish to be at home with her loved ones around her. May her love for you all live on in your hearts. I was blessed that I got to meet her so she too touched my life in that moment. Peace and hugs to the family.
I remember Janet in younger years as a playmate and through our teens. We had a lot of fun and she was an important part of growing up. I was always made to feel part of the family and I treasure those memories of her.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Saint Elizabeth Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Saint Elizabeth Foundation
Our shared condolences to Janet’s family and numerous friends. We only had a glimpse of Janet’s personality over a one week period, while in the Dominican Republic celebrating Sterling and Tammy’s wedding. We witnessed Janet’s joy, kindness, love and engaging ways. Our hearts are with you.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
With love at this sad time, hugs to all of you.
So sorry Peter and family. Cherish all the great memories. Lots of great times you all shared. We will miss her big smile and laugh. Take care of each other. At this sad time it’s nice to have a large family. Hugs.
Our condolences to Joyce, Peter and all of Janet's family. We were saddened to hear of Janet's passing. Janet had the biggest smile. Being from a large family, may they draw strength from one another now and share in many happy memories.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Saint Elizabeth Foundation
Janet was a very caring person. When I stayed with Uncle Alec & Aunt Joyce as a small child she let me play with her Barbies. Janet was blessed with a very loving mother & father, her life is a great testimony to their parenting.
My heart is heavy for all of those who knew and loved Janet, especially those closest to her. She was an awesome cousin! My most recent memories of Janet are at the Warkworth parade and going to cousin Debra’s musical in Belleville with Sara Jane and Aunt Joyce. And of course lots of family gatherings. We will miss her! Love Always, “The Cardwell Clan” (Masterson) Bob, Michelle, Mitchell, Mason (Sam) Shane (Tiffany), Samaira (Adam), Bronson, Tyson, Dawson and Bobbie
With deepest sympathy to the Glover family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Stephen Nelson
I am so sorry that Janet is gone. She raised my very best friend - Kristin is a strong beautiful woman and a wonderful mom, just like Janet was. Sending love and condolences to Janet’s big beautiful family.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Tree Canada
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Tree Canada
We were fortunate to have spent time with her. Janet’s generous spirit was something we appreciated. Our sincere condolences to your family; may you find comfort in each other.
Our condolences to all the family. I ded not meet you Peter but I heard good things about you. I (we) have many fond memories of Janet, from our shared room on Mutual Street to our co-op unit at Neill Wycik College. Tom and I maintained contact with Janet after our marriage but unfortunately only connected sporadically after we both graduated. We remember with pleasure our first experience at snowmobiling on the family farm and Janet's visit to Port Severn to visit me at Raleigh Lodge. I wish I had made a better attempt to keep in touch. We only left the Cobourg area in 2010. Tom and I were talking about Janet this week and wondering where she was and what she was doing. It was a shock to come across her obituary. I am very grateful that she was part of my life.
Dear Peter I was so sorry to hear of Janet's passing we sure shared some wonderful memories of our trip to Ireland. Also our times at the ccc doing our classes. She was a dear friend and so glad we had our last visit with you and Janet. My sincere condolences to you and the family.
Hi Peter, I'm sorry to hear of Janet's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family. I'll always have fond memories of the trip we shared to Ireland with the two of you.
Dear Peter. Our sincere sympathies on Jenna's passing. We very much enjoyed meeting you and Jenna on our trip to Ireland and the friendship we shared.
Dear Sterling and Kristin and family.... I am saddened to hear of Janet's passing. She was a wonderful woman and raised a family to be proud of. My condolences to you all. Much love, Christina Wills
Peter, I am so sorry to hear of Janet's passing. Although I did not know her, I know how devoted you were in your care for her. Relish all the happy memories you have. My thoughts are with you at this time.