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BORN
1940
DIED
2022
Janet Bavelas Obituary
Janet Clare Bavelas (also known as Janet Beavin Bavelas) died peacefully among friends at Victoria Hospice, December 12, 2022. She is predeceased by her father (Donald Helmick), brother (Gary Helmick), sister (Kay Helmick), mother (Helen Ross), and many beloved pets. Jan was born on February 12, 1940, in Portland, Oregon and grew up in Forest Grove, Oregon. In 1970, she moved to Victoria to accept a position as a professor at University of Victoria, Department of Psychology, where she worked until 2005. Jan's intense curiosity about the nature of face-to-face dialogue motivated her up to her last days. Jan was a generous mentor and collaborator, a prolific writer, a creative thinker, a meticulous and influential scholar, and a loyal friend. She had a well-known passion for Newfoundland dogs and enjoyed walking with them in local parks, hosting "Newf" Sundays on her property, and volunteering with her therapy dogs.
Her friends are most grateful for the compassionate, personalized care Jan received from health care professionals at the RJH palliative oncology ward and Victoria Hospice.
Friends will host a celebration of her life at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd, Victoria, BC on February 5, at 10:00 am. Donations in Jan's honour can be made to Victoria Hospice: https://victoriahospice.org/
Memories and Condolences
for Janet Bavelas
10 Entries
Joan Weakland
July 22, 2023
I knew Jan through one her mentors, my father, John H. Weakland. Jan was a psychology research assistant and a student of my dad's at MRI in Palo Alto, CA in the late 60's. One day, Jan and I went to Lake Lagunitas on the Stanford U. campus. Outdoorsy stuff and lakes were outside my comfort zone as an 8 or 9 year old, but not at all outside Jan's, so I remember enjoying this day with her with great fondness. We captured a tadpole and carefully took it home to become "a pet". I looked after the tadpole for about 7 years before it died, so everything about the outing together was memorable! Many years later, 2010 - 2019, we reconnected via emails; I hoped to visit her in Victoria and we shared a love of dogs (if not specifically Newfies). TIME gets away from many of us, and I truly regret not seeing her once again. I came to this page while finally planning a trip to Victoria next month, hoping to see Jan after all these years. Her warmth, kindness, and generosity of spirit will be remembered.
Monisha Pasupathi
July 7, 2023
Janet's work inspired much of my own early career research. She was brilliant and so capable of seeing new things in data we all thought we already "knew" - I recall some of her thinking around what was commonly viewed as a disgust expression by emotion researchers, but which she pointed out as actually reflecting a pause and way of holding the floor in a conversation, rather than an unambiguous symptom of disgust. She left an enormous intellectual legacy, and I will forever be grateful to her inspiration in my own research.
Jean Cosgrove
February 5, 2023
Janet was my professor at UVic for an undergraduate Personality course in the 1970s. Her teaching and testing methods were very effective and enjoyable. The following year, I marked exams for her which allowed me to know her a bit better. Her enthusiasm for scholarly works was infectious.
Thank you to the two women who organized her Celebration of Life. The speakers reaffirmed my admiration for Janet as a person and scholar along with glimpsing into other aspects of her amazing life.
Lorraine Murray
February 3, 2023
I first met Janet at a gas station where she had a Newfoundland dog in the back of her station wagon. As I had grown up with a Newf, I flagged her down and had a proper Newf visit. Later when I got my own Newfoundland, Emma, Janet generously came to my house and gave me some tips on how to best look after a Newfoundland dog. She told me that wherever the centre of the kitchen is that's where a Newfoundland will go! I also went to Newfy Sundays at her home which was great fun. I have her grandmother's bread baking bowl, a lovely memento of her.
In fact, Janet's Newf, Buddy, was a brother of my Emma ( previous litter) and I used to joke that we were related by Newfoundland.
Janet had a big heart and really mentored us Newfoundland owners.
May she rest in peace.
Lorraine Murray
Steve Norman
February 2, 2023
Jan was my PhD supervisor in the mid 70s. From her I learned what scholarship means, and that doing 20% of the work to get 80% of the results is not good enough.
Patricia Forte
January 18, 2023
I enjoyed getting to know Jan and caring for her at home for awhile. She was a very special, intelligent and interesting person. She will be missed.
Karen Hurley
January 17, 2023
Janet and met as part of a struggle to protect the wetland on her property. She was a brilliant and caring person with great compassion towards people, dogs and the natural environment. She will be greatly missed.
Cathy
January 15, 2023
I met Jan at Pilates many years ago and fondly remember her warm caring ways. I will always remember her love of Newfies and remember the time she brought a new puppy to class and the canine playtime bringing my young dog for a play with her two Newfies. May she rest in peace
Valerie Couture
January 14, 2023
The world has lost a lovely, generous lady. It was such a pleasure and honour to call you a friend. From the very first time we pulled up to your place with our Newfie puppy, Molly, you made us welcome. I will never forgot the first meeting or how slimed our little Molly was from playing with your dog Buddy. LOL. Such good times and wonderful memories. The Newfie Sundays will live on forever in our memories. I will always appreciate your guidance you gave. Thank you. Rest easy with your beloved Newfies. You will be greatly missed by us.
Love Valerie and David Couture
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