Obituary of Janice Lynn Graham

May 21, 1948 – Montreal, Quebec

April 22, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Loving wife, mother of two children, and grandmother of three children, Janice Graham passed away on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the age of 75 at Father Lacombe Care Centre in Calgary, Alberta.

Janice was born on May 21, 1948 in Montreal, Quebec. She married Paul Graham in London, Ontario on April 19, 1969. They raised two sons, Jeffery and Jason. Janice loved to paint, knit, cross-stitch, quilt, and bake. She turned her hobbies to ministry knitting prayer shawls and quilts for friends and acquaintances, even those she didn’t know, who were suffering from cancer and other chronic ailments. Scrapbooks and quilts became legacies left for her children and grandchildren.

Through her continuous missionary work, Janice served orphans and widows, and befriended the poor, the sex worker, and anyone who needed encouragement. Her missions work took her to countries like Romania just after the fall of Ceaucescu, Rwanda in the aftermath of

genocide, the Ukraine, and, more locally, the gritty Friday night streets of downtown Toronto. As a strong Christian woman, Janice was no-nonsense—her faith was practically carried out in her love for those in need, and in various church leadership roles and activities. Embracing ‘simple abundance’ Janice pursued what was true and real. Janice saw beauty in things many discarded or abandoned, such as stray dogs and cats, a shack that became a beautiful summer home, and furniture on the side of the road. She was always for the underdog, whether in movies or real life. If you were on the wrong side of the competition, if you didn’t stand a chance in life or sport, you’d get a cheer and a hug from Janice—she’d be your biggest fan.

She loved all of creation: people, animals, the wind through the trees, holding her grandchildren, the blossoms in her birth month of May, lilacs growing along the road side, hot sand and swelling ocean, the solace of lamp light and a good book on a moody rainy day. And she would fill her home with as much beauty as she could paint, paper, hang, arrange, collect, bake, or play on the stereo—then invite her myriad friends for cake, tea, and plenty of laughter.

Janice was an adventurous woman. Her desire for excitement and love for animals culminated in an encounter with a silver back gorilla named Dr. Charles in the jungle of Rwanda while on one of several missions trips with HOPEthiopia/Rwanda.

In April 2021, Janice entered the Father Lacombe Care Centre as a patient with Alzheimer’s. In spite of a two-year struggle with her illness, resulting in her passing away, she inspired many friends, family members and care givers through her warm heart, lovely smile, unrelenting faith, and a charitable life boldly lived.

Janice was preceded in death by her father Harry, her mother Nellie, and her sisters Carol and Yvonne. She is survived by her husband Paul, sons Jeffery and Jason and their respective wives Ute and Renata, her grandchildren Emma, James, and Oliver, as well as several nieces and other relatives and friends. She is mourned and missed by the many who loved her and were touched by her life and devotion.

In lieu of flowers memorial tributes may be madedirectly to the HOPEethiopia/Rwanda ‘Janice Graham Memorial Fund’ at www.hopethiopia.com.

May her memory be eternal!

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Janice’s service streamed live (see below) on the day of the service. For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Janice, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.

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