Obituaries

JANET GOLDACK

When Janet was born back in 1940, the world was at war. Those challenges spawned a whole generation of self-reliant individuals and Janet was certainly one of them. The youngest of two children in a family growing up in Montreal’s anglophone community, she excelled in school and started pursuing her dream of teaching at a young age. Night school from what’s now called Concordia University brought her first degree, and then a second Bachelor of Education from McGill University as she achieved her teaching certificate at a very young age.

Full of wanderlust, she headed to Guyana to teach, then Montreal and finally southern Ontario, where a chance meeting in a Mississauga elevator started her down the path that would lead to the rest of her life. His name was Max, and he just happened to be moving into the same apartment building. He offered to help her with her boxes. First, she said she could it herself. Then she let him help and the rest, as they say, is history.

They were married on July 1st, Canada Day, a date they chose so they (Max) would never forget the anniversary. Together they made a formidable team. Max’s sales career eventually lead them to Winnipeg, and it would become their permanent home. Over those fifty years there were so many adventures, always together. Trips to Asia, through the Panama Canal, and to the bottom of the world. In their early years Max, the pilot, would fly them across western Canada and into the United States. Janet, the unofficial co-pilot, would be knitting up a storm to keep her mind off the fact they were high in the air and Max was at the controls.

Janet continued to learn as well as teach, earning a Master of Library and Information Services. As the decades rolled by, she helped thousands of young students achieve their goals. She and Max, as part of the Rotary community, also took in foreign exchange students from places like Germany, Sweden and Australia. Janet was very active in the University Women’s Club of Winnipeg as well as with the National Association. She bowled, sewed and knitted, but most of all…she took good care of Max.

Patriarchs in River West Park, any fine evening they could be seen walking together, holding hands and chatting with neighbours and friends. They would have been married 50 years this July. Janet was kind, thoughtful and quick as a wink with that wry sense of humour of hers.

A celebration of Janet’s life will be held June 23rd at 2pm at the Charleswood United Church. Cremation has taken place. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations can be made to Rotary Club of Winnipeg West Golden Rainbow Fund, 201-1874 Portage Ave. Winnipeg R3J 0H2 would be appreciated.

As a long-time friend recently commented, “That Janet…she was quite a lady!” She was indeed. God rest her.