In Memory of Janet Lynn Weatherston
Age 68, of Ottawa passed away on September 19, 2025 at the Ottawa General Hospital surrounded by her husband, three daughters and oldest friend after a courageous battle with Myelofibrosis where she determinedly defied all doctors’ odds.
Jan was born June 5, 1957 in Baie Comeau, Quebec to Kenneth and Joyce Martin. She studied at Carleton University and spent a successful career as a public servant with Parks Canada. In more recent years Jan found joy in the community at the Orleans United Church and enjoyed participating in their craft bazaar. Her favourite memories were time spent with close friends and family, and summers spent at the beach in Ocean Park, Maine.
Jan is survived by her husband Dean, three daughters, Laura, Erin, and Jenny, and her two sisters Anne and Leslie. She was predeceased by her younger brother Ken and leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews and extended family.
Friends and family are invited to visit at the Heritage Funeral Complex 1250 Trim Road, on Monday, September 29th from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. A Memorial Service will begin at 1:00PM. For those not able to attend the service in person, please join us through the livestream.
In lieu of flowers, we encourage giving blood through the Canadian Blood Services or request that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Jan was a dear friend for over 40 years. Her hospitality, wonderful smile and gentle nature enlightened our lives. She was intelligent, inquisitive and caring. Her courage was immense. Janet Weatherston is without a doubt one of the finest human beings we’ve been blessed to know. Jan was, and will always be, in our hearts.
With love.
Dean; a few years ago I let Janet know each time I gave blood and assured her I had her covered for at least a week. Last Tuesday, 23 Sep, I gave my 193rd donation in her memory. I will think of her with every subsequent donation and with every tourtiere I make! She was an amazing, loving and courageous person and will be missed.
I am so saddened by the loss of our dear Jan. I send my most heartfelt condolences to you, Dean, to your beautiful daughters, to Jan’s sisters Leslie and Anne, and to your whole family.
I was fortunate to have Jan as a dear friend. We were classmates at Trafalgar and roommates at Carleton, where we both studied geography given our high school teacher lit a fire in us to help the environment and understand the world. Jan went on to do just that, excelling in her career at Parks Canada and in her tremendous caring of so many people in her lifetime.
To me, Jan was a gifted woman – she was smart, funny, wise and so inspiring in her life. Although we took different paths in our lives, when we reconnected through Traf alumni reunions it was always as if we had just seen one another.
Jan had a huge appreciation of her natural world, in the eastern townships where we washed our hair in the stream near her cottage, or at her favorite place in Maine. She loved Canadiana, with her beautiful maple furnishings and her old Traf desk – a prized possession from the old school. We both liked arts & crafts and helped with the school bazaar, a purpose she enjoyed all her life. Jan and her family were always kind and welcoming to me and I will forever be thankful for Jan’s friendship. A toast to Jan, an amazing, strong and wonderful woman. May she rest in peace.
Jack and I want to extend our deepest condolences to you, Dean, and your lovely girls, Laura, Erin, Jenny plus the rest of Jan’s family. Words can’t express how sad I was to hear of Jan’s passing. She was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. She was beautiful inside and out. Although she had a great career, she missed her calling with interior design and decorating. I was always in awe of what she was going to envision next in that regard. Whatever she wanted, you made the dream reality. You two made such a wonderful team. You’ll never know how much we thought of you both after we moved from Ottawa. It seemed like a good idea at the time but we really did miss the old gang. I’m thankful everyday for the time we had together and the memories will remain in my heart forever. Our little stitch group made Christmas ornaments one year and it’s a highlight of my Christmas to place them lovingly on our tree – remembering each one of our close knit group. Jan’s ornament will take on extra significance this year, just as Dawn’s has all of these past years without her. The memories of good times and good friends never fade – they only grow stronger with time. The saying, “life happens while you are making other plans” rings true. Those years in Orleans with all of you while our children were growing were the best years of my life. I knew Jan wasn’t well but didn’t think she had so little time left. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers as you say good-bye. May she rest in peace. Sending mega hugs, love, and prayers.
Jan fought the good fight. Hers was a life of love,,devotion, friendship and immense determination.. She was blessed with many friends and family and I will cherish the wonderful times we gathered in the kitchen and had delicious dinners at their beautiful table where foods that were red were rarely seen.. Jan saw humour in life! Her quiet laugh and humour live on.
I admired her artistic talent and keen eye for detail. She could always tell me if something had too much of a yellow or pink tint which was not part of my skills set..When she had a moment when she didn’t have anything for Dean to do at home, she lent her eye to our house. One fond memory is of Jan lying on our sofa shortly after her transplant. She had little energy but all of a sudden, out popped a plan for Dean to measure up our family room wall and by the next Saturday, our bookshelves were installed. That was her generous spirit!