HEMPHILL, Janet Ellen – 76, Pictou
Surrounded by the love of her husband, daughter and granddaughters, Janet Ellen Hemphill died on January 25, 2015 in the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital following a valiant 3 year battle against multiple myeloma.
Janet was born in Larder Lake, Ontario on June 2, 1938. She was the daughter of the late Hekki (Henry) Erikksson of the island of Aaland (halfway between Finland and Sweden) and Ellen (Palokangas) Erickson of Lake Norden, South Dakota.
Often stating “Minua Haluan Suomalainen,” she was fiercely proud of her Finn-Swede Scandinavian heritage.
Educated at Kirkland Lake Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and North Bay Business College, she worked in the office of T.M. Palmer Jewellers in North Bay and after moving to Pictou, she was an office employee of Maritime Packers and Village Flair Fabric Shop.
An avid gardener, Janet was a life member of the Pictou Garden Club, and the flowers and shrubs on the Hemphill property are a testament to her green thumb.
She served on the executive of the Shire Figure Skating Club in Pictou, and the Highland Figure Skating Association.
Her talents as a seamstress were manifested in the numerous competition outfits she lovingly designed and created for her daughter Ellen.
Janet was a frequent catering volunteer at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #16 in Pictou.
She will be missed by her coffee buddies “The Golden Girls” and her bowling friends in the Pictou Ladies Bowling League.
She was also a member of the New Horizons Senior’s Club, Pictou.
Janet is survived by her husband of 53 years, Elwin; daughter, Ellen (Don) Fanning, New Glasgow; granddaughters, Dr. Ashley Sutherland, Halifax; Amy Sutherland (Kenny Lockhart), Westville; brother, Fred (Ann) Erickson, Port Elgin, ON; nephews, Steve and Barrie (Kerri) Erickson and their children, ON.
Cremation has taken place. No visitation by request.
Funeral mass will take place at Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Pictou on Wednesday, January 28 at 2 p.m., Father Peter MacDonald celebrant.
A reception will follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Pictou.
A graveside service will take place in the spring at Seaview Cemetery. Part of the cremains will be retained and commingled with those of her husband upon his death.
Family flowers only by request. Memorial donations in Janet’s name may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Atlantic Branch (please specify designation to dialysis unit of the Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital) or the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of the McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou.