Janet Sylvia Russwurm

It is with deep sadness that the family of Janet Russwurm announces her passing on July 22, 2018, at the age of 77.


Janet was born in Vancouver, BC to parents Ralph and Eileen (Inman) Bell. At the age of five, she moved to Alert Bay, BC with her family. She was a graduate of the University of Waterloo, and it was while attending university that she met her life partner, Ervin. Following her training, she began her career as a laboratory technician, first at the Taber Hospital in Alberta, then at St. George's Hospital in Alert Bay, and finally at St. Joseph's Hospital, the Cumberland Hospital and the CFB Comox Health Centre once moving with her family to the Comox Valley.
Janet loved birds of all kinds and could recognise many of the local ones by sight and song. She studied them, photographed them and counted them. She also loved her Rebekah Sisters, and was an active member of the Tsolum Rebekah Lodge No. 78 for over 40 years. Janet was the ultimate homemaker. Along with Ervin, she grew and preserved her own food, and she was always cooking, knitting and sewing for family and charity.
Janet was predeceased by Ervin in 2017 after 52 years of marriage, her sister Lorna Bell in 1943 and her brother John Bell in 2011. She will be forever remembered by her children Bryan and Shelly, her grandchildren Jaycen and Alanna, her sister Karen Bell, her Aunt Hilda Russwurm and her many Rebekah Sisters. She will also be fondly remembered by her many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 25, 2018 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Grantham Odd Fellows Hall, 6040 Island Highway North, Courtenay – across from the old Tsolum (now Navigate) School.
We extend our gratitude to the staff of the Hospice at the Views for their attentiveness and loving care. Should you desire, memorial donations in Janet's name may be made to the Tsolum Rebekah Lodge No. 78 (all proceeds go to local charities), 8828 Island Highway, Black Creek BC V9J 1K5, or the Comox Valley Hospice Society.