My mom was filled with life. She never let the little stuff get her down. She lived life just how she wanted to. She welcomed everyone into her home. She loved me, my husband & my son with all her heart. We were a great team! I hope she leaves that legacy to us as she moves on from this life.
My other wish is that everyone else leaves a little piece of her with us in the form of pictures, anecdotes, stories, lists (she LOVED lists!), etc. You can leave memories here as a blog, or send me an email , send written word via snail mail or bring some cookies (jackson will especially love that) & share some joyful times with us in person. All memories, no matter how big or small, will help her live on & heal our broken hearts.
She would not want us to be sad! She wants everyone to reflect on happy memories together as she passes on.
Janno....will be missed.
Janno, my dear sweet mom, passed away quietly around 5 PM, Oct. 26th, 2012. The 3 of us sat with her & all gave her kisses to send her on with love. It was hard to leave knowing it was the last time I would see her. But she lives on in her healthy pictures & memories
ReplyDeleteMy favorite memories of Janno are of her at the lake. She always made me feel completely at home while visiting with Marcy. First in college and later with my family. She was lovely and warm and I always felt that I could be relaxed and myself around her. She gave me a wonderful friend who came into this world the same day as me. She has a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteJim and I were at coffee this a.m.(Saugatuck,MI)when Carol called and told us of Jan's passing. I will miss our group meetings in the morning. (Jim,Patrick,Padre and President Jan!)I'll miss our morning meetings where we would solve the world's problems....well, some of them anyway!I found a friend in Jan that I could share any and all my thoughts with!Today, me Irish heart was broken, but the thoughts and memories of Jan will help it heal. My love and heart goes out to all Jan's family and friends.She was a sweetheart! My love to all Jan's family. Love, Patrick
ReplyDeleteI'll be happy to sit in for her when we visit in FL!! She loved you guys so much. You were real kindred spirits. I was always glad when she was back in FL with you guys! I missed her went she flew south but always knew how happy she was when she got there...Jim, she taught me how to Sudoku this summer! I can't get past easy yet but still have lots of fun!
DeleteI'm honored to have known Jan-o. She was a dear lady with a teacher's kind of heart. She was very personable and sweet. Rest in peace, sweet Jan.
ReplyDeleteMy Sympathy to Family and Friends of Jan.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know her well but know she had an impact on many lives.
She always had a smile a very Gracious Lady!
A copy of a letter sent to mom in her final days:
ReplyDeleteHi Jan,
I still remember when we stayed at your place. You are the most easy-going and welcoming hostess ever. I loved sitting on your deck, just watching the water. Both times we visited, we took the kids to the Renaissance Festival. Remember the stylish way the girls' hair was braided? You gave us a bag of stones and fossils. Not only do we still have them, I almost always have some of them out on display on a flat plate that sits on a little table when you come up our stairs. Whenever kids come over, they always dig around and look at our souvenirs. I thoroughly enjoyed your quick wit and your ability to tell a good story.
Mack has just gone away to college this year. He loves his independence and is making a good group of friends. He's just a couple of hours away from us, so we'll see him once in a while.
I love how you kept in touch with Roger's family. You are a sweetheart and we are sending good energy your way! Love Lorie
I love your smile! Everytime we see you, your smile and laugh are infectious. I remember all of our visits together with fondness. You make us feel welcome and part of your extended family. Your name always comes up in conversation with the people we know who are your 'Florida' family. The visits we made to your house are memories the kids and Lorie and I will always remember. Walking by the water, the road up to the apricot trees, and just sitting out in the evening watching fireflies are fond memories. The hammock on your deck makes me think of Dad and how he so enjoyed his time with you. Roger
I remember sitting in your backyard watching tons of fireflies all around us. It was the first time I'd ever seen fireflies, and they were gorgeous. We spent hours together walking along your shoreline looking for fossils and cool stones. I've never seen a 'turtle' rock anywhere except at your place. Do you remember when we sent snail-mail to each other for a while? Not enough people write handwritten letters anymore. Jessica always talks about how she threw up on your carpet when we came down to visit. I thought it was me, but I was very wrong. It was her, apparently, that had the extremely upset stomach, and she won't let us forget that she was right! And I bet the stain on your carpet is still there. Eating fresh apricots was also a first experience at your place. I have so many great memories with you. Love you lots! Love, Melissa. xoxo
Whenever my parents say the words "we're going to visit Jan" I am the happiest girl in the world! Visiting you is the most relaxing and exciting thing to do in the whole wide world! I love sitting and watching the fireflies and even trying to catch them (even though I don't think I ever have)! I LOVE walking down by the water and finding all kinds of super cool shells and rocks, and going to the Renaissance Festival was always an amazing time. I remember one year I had an upset stomach and I threw-up (my very classy vocabulary) on your carpet! And every time I visit that same stain is still there! Maybe that isn't the most pleasant memory, but it sure is a memory I will never forget! Whenever I see a delicious and fresh apricot I think of all of these amazing memories I have with you and I will never forget them. Love you more than words can say, Jessica xoxoxo
It's amazing how we each have our memories...the big boat ride, kayaking, apricots, sitting in the back porch, coffee in the morning. It just goes to show you that when you are around friends and family, you can experience such enjoyment from just the little things.
Lorie
Jan was my Florida neighbor directly across the street. The winter before last Jan had a bad hip which was later replaced. I knew Jan couldn't ride her bike, so she could not go over to do her laundry. I asked her who was doing her laundry. She said, "No one." I then went and found her dirty laundry and took it back to my place to complete. I then told her to let me know when she needed her laundry done. She said she couldn't do that. I then told her I was going the count her under pants and mark it on my calender. Needless to say she then told me when her laundry had to be done.
ReplyDeleteI'm loved Jan and will miss her everyday. I look forward to seeing Marcie, John & Jackson.
Love,
Jim Noonan
oh jim! you made me laugh! hurray! we are so thankful she found great friends like you & the rest of the board of directors in Florida while she was away from us! We look forward to seeing you in Dec. Thanks for posting!
DeleteM,J & Jx
Dear Marcy,
ReplyDeleteWhat I will always remember and cherish about your mom is how she could make me laugh. Whether it was during that week in Florida, at Evan's graduation from Colgate or just sitting around Donna's kitchen table, Jan could make my stomach hurt from laughing. I miss her but I'm honored to call her my friend. May there be more people in this world like your mom... that is my wish.
Love to you, Jackson and John,
-- Mary Lou Hessney