Janet MAHER

JANET MAHER It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Janet Irene Maher, on July 11, 2023, after a valiant fight with pancreatic cancer. Janet was predeceased by her wonderful mother, Barbara, and will be deeply missed by me, her beloved daughter, Joanne; her son-in-law, Fedor; her cat, Jess; her brothers, John and Tony, and their families; and her numerous good friends. Born on October 6, 1943, in Binghamton, New York, Janet always loved to read and analyze literature. She pursued degrees in English literature, initially at Harpur College in upstate New York, and then at the University of Toronto and York University. Later on, she embarked on a career as a professor at Seneca College and at the University of Shanghai. Janet particularly loved the writings and novels of Virginia Woolf; as well as the novels Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, and The Mill on the Floss. She taught her students to love literature, and she encouraged them to think deeply about what they read. She had a sharp, analytical mind and a quick wit. After her retirement, she continued to take courses and created her own courses on T.S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf at the Academy for Lifelong Learning. Janet also loved biking and working out at the YMCA. Janet had no tolerance for the sentimental, but she loved celebrating holidays and decorating her home with mementos that she found on her travels. She was a gracious and generous host for celebratory gatherings, large and small. She had an exceptional talent for forming and sustaining lasting friendships. Her many good friends reflect her various interests and pursuits. She also loved to travel and travelled extensively, especially in retirement. My mother's legacy is that she taught me to be brave and to love without conditions. I am so thankful for the joy and strength that she gave to me. She fought cancer with nobility and grace. I am very grateful to have a mother that made me feel loved and honoured. Her legacy is that she positively impacted all who met her by encouraging people to be who they are and to live their lives well. I will keep her memory alive by doing the same. She will be deeply missed by us all. In lieu of flowers, please offer a donation in Janet's name to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, or to your local Humane Society. There will be no service. As per Janet's request, please celebrate Janet's life in your own personal way with joy.