It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our mom Janice Hanna (nee Hacquoil.) Janice passed away on Tuesday, February 13th with her family by her side. Janice's life story began on November 18, 1947. Born to parents Clifford and Evelyn, Janice loved her birthplace Thunder Bay and never wanted to live anywhere else.
Growing up on a farm in Slate River and with a family construction company, Janice and her four siblings (Mary Day, Elizabeth Paakanen, Jimmy Hacquoil, and Monica Booth) never lacked for excitement in their lives. Her fathers hard working nature and her mother's passion for gardening and nurturing others through food left a lasting impression on Janice.
Janice's journey took her briefly to North Bay for schooling before returning to Thunder Bay, where she attended Selkirk High School. Life brought together Janice and Brian, the man who would become her lifelong partner. Building a family and raising four children brought them countless joys, challenges, and cherished memories.
The Hanna household was a place where people could come for haircuts, home cooked meals, and Halloween costumes. Janice did not like making a big deal out of things and taught her children the importance of getting on with things. She was the kind of lady who would just rip the band aid off quickly. Janice could always be counted on to give you an honest answer even if it was not what you wanted to hear.
Janice pursued a career as a Registered Practical Nurse where she found joy in caring for elderly patients, first at Grandview and later at Pioneer Ridge. Alongside her sisters, Janice co-founded Three's Company, a floral arrangement store that allowed them to express their creativity while cherishing their bond. Her creative spirit extended to her house where she worked to create not just a house, but a home.
Janice’s quirky personality never ceased to entertain. She could make you laugh by showing you how double jointed she was, and her facial expressions were priceless. She enjoyed the many adventures that she took with family and loved nothing more than going for a drive. Janice greatly enjoyed the company of her grandchildren, often feeding them way too many ice cream bars.
Janice is pre-deceased by her parents, Clifford and Evelyn Hacquoil, her in-laws Archie and Vivian Hanna, her sister Elizabeth Paakanen, and her husband Brian Hanna. She is remembered fondly by her four children Jim (Shona), Jennifer (Ward), Joselyn (Simon), Joline (Shawn) as well as numerous grand-children, nieces, and nephews. Family express gratitude to the nursing staff at TBRH ICU for their compassionate care during Janice's final days, as well as to her niece Karen Morris for her unwavering support.
In lieu of flowers and donations the family would love for friends and family of Janice to take time out of their busy schedules to connect and spend time together with their loved ones. This would make Janice, the lady with “nice” in her name, smile.
