“An unconventional life…..and thus….an unconventional life story” It is with the most profound sorrow, but much thanksgiving for the blessing of her presence among us, that the family and legions of friends of Janice Gammon acknowledge her untimely passing on Thursday, March 27, 2008. Janice, a lifelong resident of Lyons Brook, was just over 49 years young when her brave and determined battle with cancer ended. At the time she was born, she was the youngest child and first daughter of Jack and Elizabeth (Barnard) Gammon. Over the next seven years she acquired the status of middle child in a brood of five. And a determined and feisty middle child she proved to be! Surrounded by older brothers, Russell of Fergus, Ontario, and Douglas (Isabelle) of Three Brooks in Pictou County, and her younger siblings, Gary (Sherri) of Edmonton, Alberta, and sister Gayle (Jimmy MacLeod), Hopewell, Pictou County, Janice grew to be an extraordinarily talented, capable, giving and beloved person. Janice was the best friend of her loving sister Gayle with the two being born soul-mates. The centre of her universe was her son Johnathan, of Lyons Brook. The almost endless list of high points in her career includes the eclectic mix of Manager of East End Grocery in Pictou; employee of both the Pictou Tourist Bureau and Auto-Trader; trained professional photographer; creator and designer of the Ship Hector Tartan; manager of a high bush blueberry patch purchased from parents and on it went! The crowning glory of her working life however was a role as a real estate agent for over three years. This was clearly a role Janice was born to fulfill. It was a natural fit for her skill set and personality and she found her true niche when she was putting transactions together and ensuring that her customers received just the right property for their needs. With such a varied and busy working life it is hard to imagine that any person could have crammed so much more into a life – however, Janice did!! A passionate fly-fisherwoman, Janice delighted in taking to the rivers and streams often finding fish and relaxation and photograph opportunities there! She was also an active participant and leader in the Pictou Rivers Association. For a time a motorcycle owner and rider Janice also played the drums. With her work in birthing the Ship Hector Tartan, Janice was a board member of the Ship Hector Foundation and a board member who was so much more than a “seat-warmer”. As a working single parent Janice ensured that her son Johnathan had every chance to develop his abundant talents and grow into a wonderful young man who has made his family very proud. For all this activity Janice was a true expert at nurturing deep relationships and lasting friendships. She was a devoted Aunt to her nieces and nephews Jack and Kim in Alberta and Shirley, Tena and Kaitlyn in Nova Scotia. Friends were one of Janice’s top priorities and that’s why she had hundreds of them! They enjoyed her support when times were tough. When Janice faced numerous health challenges her friends were more than there for her, especially in late 2007 and early 2008 as her health changed. The best summation of Janice’s life is that she did more in 49 years than many people do in 94 years! Family will meet with friends to share comfort, thanksgiving and to exchange “Janice stories” from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. today and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, at McLaren Funeral Home, 246 Faulkland Street, Pictou, NS. By request no funeral service will be held. Interment of ashes will take place at a private family service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Janice’s memory may be made to the V.O.N. or Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow, NS.