Obituary of Janet Lee Dawson
March 2, 1941 – New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
September 24, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta
It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Janet Lee Dawson, beloved wife of Rick, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the age of 81 years.
Shaped by the tragic loss of her mother Audrey, at the age of fifteen, Janet sought to make a life of love and service to her family and her community. After graduating from Dalhousie University with a Biology Degree in 1961, she moved to Calgary, where she would marry Rick in 1962. This is where they raised their family. Calgary is where she worked first as a lab technician, then later as a swimming instructor some would call a teacher of generations of swim instructors, and finally as the Aquatics Director at the Calgary Winter Club. Janet embodied kindness, strength, curiosity, and always, good humour. She revealed herself with words and deeds, reveling in the celebration of birthdays and holidays, often spending months planning, baking, and imagining all the ways she might express her devotion to those in her life. She did that in her work as well, devoting years to the Canadian Red Cross, Ten Thousand Villages, the Winter Club, and countless other organizations. To the end, she showed the dignity that defined her life, telling her grieving husband in her final hours that, “I talk to you all the time.” Janet, we too will talk to you all the time. We will carry you with us always.
Besides her loving husband, Janet is survived by her daughter, Anne of Calgary, AB, son Alec of Albany, NY; two grandchildren, Maia, and Zach of Albany, NY. Janet is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Donald (Mary), sister Anne, brother-in-law Jack; four nephews, Mike, Andrew, Scott, and Dale; and four nieces, Nancy, Trish, Jill, and Heather. Janet was predeceased by her son, Ian (1965-1994).
Plans for a Celebration of her Life will be announced in the coming weeks. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 6007 – 1A Street S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 0G5 Telephone: (403) 255-6108, www.kidney.ca.
