Tuesday 18 August 2015

Great sadness

Deskers in particular will be saddened I know, to read that Janet 'Fairythoughts' has passed away. Too soon, too young of course. There is much to say of my friendship with Janet - like how reluctant I was to introduce myself when I was a customer in the shop where she worked, and how delighted she was when Lunch Lady Jan finally did the deed. How we had to try hard not to tie her up in chatting when she should have been serving other, 'real' customers'. Or how she could look me in the eye and say something really cheeky with a totally straight face...and leave me wincing in the hope that she was joking. Only to then have her dissolve into laughter at my reaction. Oh my word, she had a rapid and dry, often wry sense of humour. 
Janet wasn't only a paper crafter. She was a prolific and gifted seamstress, jewellery maker - beading was one of her 'things' - if you ever met her, you are probably a recipient of something she made - she loved to give, and didn't like the fuss of gratitude or amazement. Very modest, our Janet. Of course, she wasn't just the sum of her crafting skills. Wife, mother, grandmother. She was devoted to her family and I'm sure you join me in my sorrow for them in their loss. Her loving influence will always be wrapped around them and anyone she knew. And of course, that wrapping will be secure. By use of a button.

Janet's funeral will take place next Thursday 27th, her family will welcome anyone that would like to attend, but would appreciate knowing in advance. You can leave a message here. 

35 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Oh, I'm so saddened to hear this, Julia. Janet was one of my regular enablers, she always had an encouraging word to say to me and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting her blog too. Please convey my sympathies to her family, she will be much missed. Elizabeth

CraftygasheadZo said...

Oh this is sad news. Having met Janet I can only echo yours words. It also makes our last WOYWW crop in May seem so much more special having seen Janet there, for what is now the last time. My thoughts are with Janet's family and friends. I will treasure the things I have received from Janet. Such a lovely lady. Take care Zo xx

Annie said...

She has been so much in my thoughts lately Julia. She gave me some poppy seeds over a year ago now and they are blooming in our new garden now. She was a lady I'd never met in real life but had chatted to many times and shared many happy times together through our blogs. She will be sadly missed. Please send much love to all her lovely family.
Hugs,
Annie x

shazsilverwolf said...

This is so sad to read. Janet was, as you say,a lovely person. I remember last year, not long after my colostomy surgery, she sent me a card, and a gloriously huge block of plain chocolate, because I'd said it was recommended to cure any blockages, lol. Then later, when I commented on some magazine freebie dies to go with the previous months free stamps, that I couldn't find it anywhere, she went out and bought a copy to send me.So I will always remember her fondly, as a lady who's kindness knew no limits.
I would have loved to come down for her funeral,but the 27th is the day I have my pre op assessment, so I won't be able to do it. Please Julia, give our love and condolences to her family, and if you wish, share my appreciation for her generous spirit to someone she had only met once. Love and Hugs, Shaz xxxxx

Laura said...

Oh gosh, so sad. Love to her family x

Debbie Rock said...

Such sad, sad news and how poignant it was to see her at the last crop in May ... how special that she was able to join us. Sincere and heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. Love Debbie xXx

Morti said...

Oh gosh.... I thought she looked unwell at the crop but never quite got round to talking to her.... So sad. She was so skilled with her beadwork - her family must have many treasured memories as well as creations to keep her memory going. Bless her.

Lisa-Jane said...

Good grief, I knew she looked poorly but this is such a shock. I met her several times both at crops and in the shop and she was definitely one of the regular deskers that visited me when I took part. I would like to try and get to the funeral as it will be very local for me - do you have any further details?

pearshapedcrafting said...

So sad to hear this, I can only agree with others..a generous and courageous lady and it was lovely to meet her at the crop this year! I will treasure her gift! My thoughts are with her family, Chrisx

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Beautiful words, Julia....it sums up perfectly our friendship. I'm so glad we made the decision to stop hiding behind the haberdashery and go say Hi to Janet. Just think of all the fun and love we'd have missed out on.
Seeing her at the May Crop means even more now......
Xxxx

Neesie said...

Such sad news... I would like to send my condolences to her family and friends. Blessings xx

Ohhh Snap said...

This is so sad. She had once inquired about some brads I used so I sent her some since I had extras. She sent me the most lovely little notebook as thanks. Completely unexpected. Please give my condolences to the family.

Sue Jones said...

So Sorry - I didn't know her but she sounds like she was such a lovely lady - my condolences to her family and friends xx

Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and Shel said...

Such sad news. My sympathy. Peg R

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Oh Julia, I'm so sad to read this. What a terrible shock. I know Janet was very poorly leading up to the crop, but I thought she was getting better. Please pass on my condolences to her family.

Sue said...

Hope the sadness eases and loads of happy memories take over for her family and friends.

MaggieC (Silvercrafter) said...

That is such sad news, Julia. I knew she had been ill but thought she was recovering slowly, so this is a real blow, and leaves a big gap in our gathering. Please pass on my condolences to her family. I am unable to attend the funeral, but my thoughts will be with her family at this time and on that day in particular. xxx Maggie

Helen said...

I am so, so sorry to hear of this, Julia - although I knew it was coming, it is never easy. Please pass on my sincere and deep condolences to her family, as I shall be unable to attend next week; but will be thinking of her and her loved ones left behind. It was so good to see her briefly in May and indeed I do have several things made and gifted by her, which I shall now treasure even more. How we shall miss her WOYWW posts with news of the family and her time crafting with her grand daughter. xx Helen

Hettie said...

Oh Julia. I am so sad to learn of Janet's passing. Too soon, as you say. So glad she came in May so we can remember her as she would like to be remembered, crafting!
Please pass on my sincere condolences. Thank you so much for sharing this sad sad news with us. I shall light a candle for her now.
Hugs
xx

okienurse said...

Sad news for sure! I had heard from her a while back because I was having so many issues and she gave me support. Of course I can't make it to the services but I will keep her in my thoughts and wish well for her family that day. Vickie

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Shock! I'm in shock! I'm so sad to learn this. She was always trying new and different things and I always enjoyed visiting her blog to see what she was up to.

Shoshi said...

So very sad to hear this, Julia, esp. so soon after Eliza's passing. Please pass on love and condolences to her family. They are in my thoughts and prayers.

Shoshi

April said...

Your words are beautiful. It is so sad that she left us so soon. :-(
April

Anonymous said...

I had feared this news. Knowning it was coming doesn't soften the blow in the least. Janet was such a lovely person, so funny, so talented, so witty. I loved reading her blog, seeing her at the train station on the way to the crop, and exchanging comments week after week. She is sorely missed. My thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.

MA

RosA said...

Such very sad news. Like others we often exchanged Wednesday woyww comments and I have a beautiful card which she sent me about a year ago. Another woywwer who will be sadly missed.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Oh Julia, I can't believe this. I had NO idea she was sick, but I guess I live too far away to know these things. I always enjoyed it when she and her granddaughter joined T on Tuesday and I have always loved the rocking horse rubber stamp she sent me. I use it often, especially when I make my annual WOYWW anniversary ATCs. I agree that she was so, so generous and wouldn't accept the praise she so richly deserved.

My thoughts and prayers are with her family, as she will definitely be missed. This is such sad news.

Darnell said...

What sad news to hear, Julia. Thank you for letting us know. May she rest in peace knowing that she left wonderful memories behind with so many who were graced to know her. Hugs, Darnell

Nikki said...

So sad to hear about Janet she will be missed and condolences to her family

Belinda Basson said...

I am so sorry to hear this news. Janet always made the time to comment on my posts and said such lovely thoughtful things. I will miss her desk and her visits to my neck of the woods. I wish I lived closer as I would have come to her service. Please pass on my love and condolences from South Africa.

Di said...

Oh Julia, how terribly sad. I had no idea Janet was so ill, a lovely lady gone much too soon. I have such a vivid memory of our girlie day at your house with her and LLJ. Fun and laughter.

RIP Janet.

Di xx

Diana Taylor said...

So very shocked to hear the news, I shall be thinking of her family at this sad time.

Neet said...

That is sad news indeed. Although I never got to meet Janet like so many of you did at the crop I do remember her from blogland. Another of our bright stars up in heaven.
So sad Julia
Net xx

Twiglet said...

From the comments and your lovely post everyone has treasured memories of a lovely lady. Please send my love to Janet's family - we will all be thinking of them. x Jo

misteejay said...

Such sad news - my thoughts are with her family.
Toni xx

JoZart Designs said...

I am stunned to hear this sad news of lovely Janet. She was so lovely and leaves us all with our own special memories of all she did. Creating and giving in deed and spirit, her generosity was boundless. I too have received beaded treasures from her, poppy seeds and other precious shared bits and bobs but she also made several lovely quilts in support of the children's cancer care group. I am so pleased I got to know her fairly well through WOYWW and that I was so lucky to meet her.
My heart goes out to her family,
Jo x