Janice Rose Andrews, local Thunder Bay artist, beloved partner and devoted friend passed away on June 29, 2023.
Janice (or Jan as we fondly knew her), was truly a Renaissance woman. Janice pursued her passion for art in all aspects of her life. She was a well-respected member of the arts community in Thunder Bay.
Janice always had a passion for art. One of Janice’s first jobs was actually creating window displays at Chapples department store. However in 1979 she changed her course and began an accomplished career with the Canadian Grain Commission. She was a pioneer in this male-dominated work-force. Her determination and work ethic earned her a position as a supervisor and eventually as a staff training coordinator who travelled the world to train and share her vast knowledge with others. She said upon retiring in 2009 that this was one of her greatest joys. After retiring from her 30 year career with the Canadian Grain Commission Janice was finally able to focus full time on her passion, abstract art.
Janice graduated from Lakehead University in 2010 with an Honors Bachelor Fine Arts Degree, First Class Standing. She showcased her art locally and internationally. Her paintings were based on landscapes, impressions of what she saw, experienced and remembered. She was attracted to vibrant colors and was able to portray this on canvas as an emotional, spiritual and physical journey. Janice was proud of a particular series of paintings that were inspired by a family of crows that visited in her backyard; she captured them on canvas and film. She said that what inspired her most about them was their ability to live in the present and their truly exuberant nature.
Janice was a gentle, generous, unceasingly curious and patient person. Janice lived her life in the moment, but it is her strength, her joy and her sense of humor that we will miss the most.
Janice is survived by her partner David Lysak and his son Ryan. David and Janice spent over three decades together and were utterly devoted to each other David supported her artistic endeavors and Janice was by his side when it came to things that he loves, golf, fishing, curling, and of course their shared love of cooking and travel.
She was predeceased by her parents Corinne and Walter Andrews and her grandmother Mary Fedell.
She was also predeceased by her Uncle Guy Fedell, Uncle Moe and Aunt Monika Irving and Mike Pytych.
She is survived by sister-in-law Sheila Lysak and relatives Georgina Pytych, Kevin Pytych, Ken Pytych, Deb Pankewich and Lecky Woods.
A Celebration of Janice’s life will be held to honor Janice on Wednesday July 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the Port Arthur Curling Club.
If friends so desire, donations may be made in Janice’s name to Definitely Superior Art Gallery.
