Janet Elizabeth AINSLIE

(nee Wright) 1933-2024 Our dear mother passed away peacefully, on August 9, 2024, after a full and active life. Mom was born in Kapuskasing to Albert and Ina Wright, and grew up in Galt with her late brother, Tom. She graduated from Bishop Strachan School in 1951 and the University of Toronto (Trinity) in 1955, and maintained close friendships from both schools throughout her life. At U of T, Mom met Margaret Tuer (née Ainslie) who introduced her to her brother, James, our father. They were married in 1957 and had a loving partnership that ended only when Dad died in 2021. At that time, reflecting on his life, Dad kept saying "the best thing I ever did was to marry Janet." Mom will be very much missed by her children: Elizabeth (Doug de Leeuw), Mary (John Esson), and Donald (Mike Twamley); and her grandchildren, Will Esson, and Jessica and Rachel de Leeuw. Auntie Janet greatly enjoyed spending time with her Wright, Tuer, and 'Ottawa Ainslie' nieces and nephews, and their children. Mom had a keen interest in our family, the women in her Bridge Club (including her fellow Life Master, the late Joan Beattie), friends at the Toronto Lawn Tennis Club, different generations of Airedale terriers, and in volunteering. At the family 'farm' in Mulmur, Mom was willingly persuaded into participating in Dad's many projects. They would head out on their respective tractors to knock down trees, put up fences, or dig ponds. She always welcomed friends and family for bridge, poker, tennis, family reunions, and many other gatherings, whether it was a casual drop-in or a holiday trip to Florida. Her delicious cookies were always available. Mom was quietly spiritual and was active at Glenview Presbyterian Church. We are thankful to Glenview's Pastoral Care Associate, Antonio Siracusa, for his support during her illness. Mom was known for her pragmatic personality, which let her take life's challenges with steadiness and grace. In 2020, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She retained her unflappability and her quirky sense of humour while facing her own decreasing capacities. Her friends, especially Kay and John McKellar, Lee Booth, and her TLTC group, were a great support to her. She had a special relationship with her sister-in-law, Marg Tuer, who, during her illness, visited her regularly and hosted lovely Sunday dinners which were the highlight of Mom's week. Visits to Cambridge and her friendship with sister-in-law, Marion Wright, were also treasured and of great comfort. Thank you for the care and support provided by the amazing staff at Ewart Angus Sprint Home, where Mom lived for nearly three years. A special thanks to Patience Sibanda and Lurleen Urquhart for their weekly visits with Mom during her hospitalization. A memorial service will be held on September 4th at 3:30 p.m. at Glenview Presbyterian Church, and will be livestreamed at https://bit.ly/Memorial-Service-4-Janet-Ainslie. If you wish, and in lieu of flowers, donations to Sprint Senior Care would be appreciated (www.sprintseniorcare.org/donate/donate-now/).