JANET JOY LAKEMAN

Lakeman, Janet Joy
Janet Joy Lakeman passed away peacefully at her family's home in St. Albert, Alberta on the sunny morning of February 15th, 2014 surrounded by those who loved her dearly. Janet fought a long and courageous battle with cancer and will be lovingly remembered by her mother and father, Roy and Joyce Lakeman; brother, Grant (Elizabeth) Lakeman; sisters, Pam Manser, Tracy (Ken Alexander) Lakeman, Jill (John) Blackie; three nephews, Nathan and Tye Blackie, and Simon (Erin Sillito) Manser; and two grandnieces, Nadria Manser and Aylah Manser-Sillito. Born in Edmonton in 1956 Janet and family went on to live up north and then settled in Calgary, Alberta. An honors graduate of St. Francis High School, Janet flourished in the Drama department, and began her life's work as an accomplished painter and activist. After graduating from the Alberta College of Art and Design, Janet moved to Vancouver and continued to paint and advocate for women's rights through her volunteer work with Rape Relief & Women's Shelter. Her love of nature took her to work alone in the Alberta forests on Fire Tower Lookout, where she spent 11 seasons, reading, painting, writing and honing her love of textile arts from far above the tree tops. Janet went on to further her education and graduated with a Master's Degree in Fine Arts at Simon Fraser University. In the late 1990's Janet moved back to Calgary where she continued to create her own work, and commenced her career in Film and Television as an Art Director. Among her many credits are the popular television series, Honey I shrunk the Kids, Monte Walsh and Heartland. Janet continued to create beauty with complicated pattern and layered texture until the final days of her life, embroidering and drawing in nature and taking quilting to new heights with her coveted collections of colorful Japanese woven fabrics. Her passion for food and hunting for exotic ingredients and recipes was a joy she shared with her family and friends creating many meals and lovely memories. A devout practitioner of Vipassana Mediation, Janet used her practice to journey through her healing and in the last 5 years of her life attended many meditation courses in Alberta and California. She will be greatly missed by all those who loved her kind and gentle soul. A Funeral Mass of Celebration will be held at the Holy Family Catholic Church, 75 Poirier Ave. St. Albert, Alberta 780-459-3694 on Thursday February 20nd, 2014 at 2 PM. A Celebration of her Life will also be held in Calgary at the University of Calgary, Hotel Alma, 169 University Gate NW, on Saturday March 1, 2014 at 7 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cross Cancer Institute at 11560 University Ave NW, Edmonton AB T6G 1Z2. To send condolences visit: www.connelly-mckinley.com

Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Chapel
780-458-2222