Obituary of Janet Mavis Holdsworth
Janet Mavis (Turner) Holdsworth, smiling, gardening, cycling, slogging furniture up multiple flights of stairs, playing the slots, watching the swans, cigarette in hand…
Our amazing, vibrant mother slipped away in the early hours of January 5th, 2019, a month to the date of her 73rd birthday. She suffered a stroke in January 2018 that took away her fierce independence and left her in extreme pain. Jan fought valiantly, saving a laugh and hug for all her many visitors while she suffered through the final year of her life. But the life she was left with did not befit her, and though she captured the hearts of her new colleagues and carers at Streetsville long term care facility, it was not a place for her. Jan decided to follow her heart, somewhere over the rainbow.
In Toronto, Ontario, on February 5th, 1946, Jan was born to Melba and George Turner, one of six children. She grew up in the tiny town of Fort Frances Ontario.
She left the small town life for adventures in the big city of Toronto, and after a few jobs as an au pair and in administration, she followed her artistic passion and let her extreme talent shine as an interior decorator. In this capacity, Jan entered the homes and lives, and changed the worlds of so many people. Customers and colleagues who all became friends and will never forget her enthusiasm, humour, selflessness and genuine nature.
As a mother, Jan was loving and encouraging and she ran a tight ship. We wouldn’t know how to scrub the base of a toilet with a toothbrush if it hadn’t been for Jan! She was a disciplinarian on the one hand, and the most fun mom on the other. Not a Halloween went by without Jan’s elaborate costumes and jack o lanterns and she took her giddy enthusiasm around the neighborhood. One year she terrorized her best friends, dressed as a huge gorilla.
Jan literally gave her life to everyone around her. Every friend and relative has a story of Jan’s selfless giving.
But Jan’s greatest love is her grandchildren. She could be the proudest ‘Vavo’ in this world, and no doubt from beyond as well. She was there for their births and every occasion of their lives, beaming, fulfilled, the vision of happiness. She has been an inspiration to them and will forever be their guardian angel.
Jan follows her sister Jacqui and her grandson Shiloh in death. She has left her children Jaquilyn (and partner Mike), and Holli (with partner John), and her three precious grandchildren Quinci, Alexis and Adam to carry her memory. She is also survived by siblings Jean, Jill, John and Jody.
To remember and honour such an amazing woman, we have organized a Celebration of Life. As per her wishes, there will be no formal service. Instead, it will be a very informal drop in, between 6pm and 9pm at Oasis Catering and Convention Centre at 1036 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga, Ontario on Thursday January 10th.
Donations may be left in Jan's honour with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. This may be done by selecting the 'Donations' link at the top of this memorial page, followed by the 'Heart and Stroke Foundation' link.
Please come and say hi, share a memory, have a drink, a bite to eat, pour over some old photos and listen to Jan’s favourite songs. Let’s keep her memory alive as this world was blessed to have her here, and she touched us all in so many ways.
