Janelle “Ellie” Ann (Waye) Irving
18 July 1953 to 2 August 2016

With great courage and dignity, Janelle passed away at the O’Leary Community Hospital on 2 August, 2016, at the age of 63.

Janelle was the loving wife of 40 years to Don and the devoted mother of Stephen and Bryan.

Born in Chatham, NB, to Harry and Janette (Campbell) Waye, her childhood was divided between Greenwood, NS, and St. Eleanor’s, PEI, where she graduated from Athena Regional High School in 1971. During her time in St. Eleanor’s, she worked at M.F. Schurman’s and Towers Department Store before marrying Don and becoming a stay at home mother to her two boys.

Janelle’s lifelong passion for the arts was always front and centre. In addition to her painting and folk art—which she became known for later in her life—she was also a very talented photographer, woodworker, seamstress, chef, baker, and interior decorator.

In 1984, Don, Janelle and the boys moved to Cold Lake, Alberta. Her talents as a seamstress were in high demand by the military members of CFB Cold Lake, where her husband was stationed until 1987.

Returning to Prince Edward Island, Don and Janelle built a home on the Mill River East Road in the late 1980s. Janelle was inspired by West Prince and took the move as an opportunity to advance her artistic practice. Through painting, beach combing and photography, she developed a unique artistic style that blended painting with collected driftwood, beach glass and other found materials. Her artworks and ornaments were sold in galleries and craft fairs throughout Prince Edward Island and now adorn many homes in the area.

To supplement this work, Janelle was a contract driver for three local newspapers (including the Journal-Pioneer) for over 24 years.

Left to mourn her passing are Don, Stephen in Vancouver, BC, Bryan (Mary) in Oromocto, NB, her family and friends, and her latest rescue kitties. She loved life, her family, the beaches of Prince Edward Island, her home in Brooklyn, and is dearly missed by those who knew her.

Hommages