SUTCLIFFE, Janet Bruce (nee: Duff) Date of Birth: November 15, 1943
It is with profound sadness that the family of Janet Bruce Sutcliffe, of Oro-Medonte, announce her peaceful passing on January 9, 2024, at the age of 80, after an extended battle with the complications of kidney disease.
Janet was loved by so many friends and extended family and is survived by her husband of 62 years (Fred): her daughters: Elizabeth Wagg and Wendy (John) Watson, her grandchildren Greg, Bryanna (Patrick), Amanda (Andreus) and Vicky and her great-granddaughter Amelia.
In 1943, Janet was born to Barbara and Alex Duff. She grew up, as the baby in the family, in Toronto with her brother (Alec) and 3 sisters (Margaret, Bonnie and Beth). Janet and Fred raised their 2 daughters in Toronto, Oshawa, Ajax and finally Oro-Medonte, gathering many cherished friends along the way.
After retiring from her many years with the Government Court Offices, Janet took to retirement with gusto. Splitting her time between the home she designed in Horseshoe Valley and their home in Sun City, South Carolina, golfing became a new passion for her. She even got a hole in one!
Janet never thought she was the adventurous type but she never turned down an opportunity to do something outside her comfort zone. Whether it was flying in a sea plane on the BC coast - or sitting on the back of a motorcycle with her husband on a ride to PEI - or attending a Rolling Stones concert in her 70s - she'd try it all. She loved to travel, with New York City being her favourite destination. The shows, the restaurants, the shopping, the people watching - she loved it all. But she mostly enjoyed visiting and feeding the Central Park horses. Janet was the kindest and gentlest of souls - always trying to do something special for other people - but she always had the softest spot for animals. From the Golden Retrievers she had as pets to the parrot that never left her shoulder as she walked around the house - she loved animals and they loved her back. They just seemed to sense her gentle goodness.
Janet faced the onset of kidney disease like it was her new job and, just as she was always excellent at her pre-retirement work, her approach to dialysis would be no different. For each session, she would do her hair & makeup and wear nice clothes & jewelry as if she was off to the office. She was extremely grateful for the kindness of the nurses and doctors at RVH Renal Clinic and tried to show her gratitude by wearing costumes on each festive occasion and bringing in treats and timbits for the staff. While dialysis treatments took up a few days of her week, she made sure to make the absolute most of her 'days off' and free time. She loved spending time outdoors watching birds and enjoying nature and that was reflected in the many beautiful landscapes she painted. Janet also busied herself with her many friends in the various mahjong, bridge and euchre groups she belonged to. Janet made all of her family's lives richer by planning special moments and wonderful meals (which became incomparable comfort food), She made every day special but birthdays and Christmases were her favourite celebrations and she always outdid herself. If all of that wasn't enough to exhaust the average person, an occasional trip to her favourite slot machine at Casino Rama rounded out Janet's many activities.
A private family service will be followed in the coming months (Spring) by a Celebration of Life. Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to either Hospice Simcoe Donate Now - HOSPICE SIMCOE (canadahelps.org) or RVH Foundation Renal Dialysis Clinic.
Messages of condolence may be forwarded to the family through adamsfuneralhome.ca
