Obituary of Margaret Janack

(née Haines)

Margaret Janack passed away in Stoney Creek, Ontario, on February 25, 2022, surrounded by her family who played one of her favourite pieces of music and gently drummed her into the waiting arms of her beloved husband. Born to parents Charles and Evelyn Haines in Hamilton, Ontario on June 28, 1925, Margaret was predeceased by her brothers Edson and Douglas, her sister Helen, her husband Edwin, and her beloved granddaughter Jordan. Margaret’s memory will be cherished by her children Peter (Rose), Margaret (David), Douglas (Daniela), Mary,  Anne (Ken), and Elizabeth (Robert); her grandchildren Martin, Meagan (Vito), Michael (Carmen), Matthew (Uliana), Taylor, Kolton (Takuya), and Alexander; and great grandchildren William, James, Tristan, and Edwin. Margaret graduated in 1946 from the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto as a clinical instructor and worked for several years in the Hamilton health system. She specialized as an obstetrical nurse at the height of the baby boom and thus helped to bring many babies into the world.  Later in life she provided support and comfort to dying people in palliative care settings, thus helping people at the other end of their journey.

In 1952 Margaret met and married the love of her life, Dr. Edwin Janack.  Together they raised six children.  The Janack house, first in Stoney Creek then in Winona, bustled with activity during those child rearing years because Margaret and Ed made their home a fun and welcoming place for their children’s many friends. Margaret was always ready at short notice to set an extra place or two at her large kitchen table. Margaret also found time for intellectual and spiritual pursuits.  She was an active member of the United Church for many years, singing in the choir and organizing activities for young people. In the 1970’s she became the United Church representative to the McMaster University Lay School of Theology, and she eventually served as chair of the board for the lay school.  Margaret’s spiritual interests and her fellowship community widened and deepened throughout her life.  She developed an interest in the art and spirituality of Canada’s indigenous peoples, and she became convinced that if we hope to meet the environmental challenges of the future, we have lessons to learn from the First Nations.  She maintained an interest in current events until the end of her life, and although she was keenly aware of the looming problems facing future generations, she never lost her sense of optimism. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Fred Fraser and Kate Fraser for their help, their guidance, and their constant friendship throughout the final weeks and hours of Margaret’s life. Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of her life will be held at the Donald V. Brown Funeral Home, 36 Lake Avenue Drive, Stoney Creek, on Friday, March 4th from 2-5 p.m. Family eulogies will be shared at 4:30 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, donations to Indspire.ca would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences and notes of sympathy may be left at www.donaldvbrown.ca

“My beloved spoke, and said unto me, Rise up my fair one, and come away.

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone."