A huge smile, positive attitude and loads of integrity.
Janice Lynn Horsnell (Murray)
March 8, 1945 ~ June 15, 2013
Jan was born in Vancouver, B.C., on March 8, 1945 to Bill and Grayce Foulkes. She grew up with older sister, Patricia, in West Vancouver. The warmest memories of her childhood included playing with her dog Skipper, talking about the day around the dinner table, large family gatherings with cousins and feeling very loved.
She attended Pauline Johnson Elementary, Hillside Junior Secondary and West Vancouver High School, graduating in 1963. She was often the tallest in her class; by the end of grade four she was 5' 9”. Jan competed in discus, basketball, volleyball and field hockey. She was president of student council and pep club.
Following graduation, Jan travelled with a school group to Europe. She also spent time with her family in Hawaii in 1976 and drove to Disneyland in 1980. Jan loved her international holidays but said that her favourite place was Canada.
Jan met Bob Murray at the University of British Columbia and they were married in 1967. She graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in 1968, majoring in physical education and geography. Her first teaching job was at West Vancouver High and then she and Bob moved to Creston to teach at Prince Charles Secondary School. During her two years of teaching she coached the Intermediate and Senior Basketball Team and the Senior Girls Volleyball Team.
In 1971, Jan gave birth to Susan, followed by Scott, in 1974. Father-in-law, Dr. Murray, helped deliver both of his grandchildren. Jan stayed home to raise her family in Canyon, B.C. on their 10 acre hobby farm. Her family enjoyed raising all sorts of animals. Summer holidays included camping on Kootenay Lake and lots of time in the family pool. The Murray house was warm and inviting.
Once Jan's children started school, she worked for Dr. Perrin at the Creston Veterinary Clinic. She loved working with animals and the general public. Many homeless pets often came to the farm “just for the weekend” and ended up a part of the Murray family.
Jan returned to teaching at PCSS in 1989, and following the separation with her husband, she accepted a job as a child protection social worker in 1991, with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) in Creston. She met her second husband, Peter Horsnell in 1993 and married in 1994. They moved to Grand Forks in 1997 where she continued with MCFD. Jan's dedication helped many families over her 20 years as a social worker. She often shared these words, “When a child walks in the room does your face light up?”
Although Jan had some hard times during her battles with breast cancer in 1994 and 2012 she always tried to find the bright side to life. Some of her favourite things were: camping, biking, walking, horseback riding, gardening and listening to country music.
Jan was excited when Susan married Duane in 2005, as this meant grandchildren. Mya, Brooklyn and Lauryn were born over the next six years. Jan adored her grandchildren and they loved their “Granny Jan.” She visited often, never missing Christmas or one of her grandchildren’s birthdays. Jan also made numerous visits up to Fort St. John to visit Scott.
The last couple of years were tough medically, but she continued to amaze people with her optimism. She moved back to Creston in 2012 and reconnected with old friends. She was back “home.”
Jan is predeceased by her parents and infant brother Donald.
She is survived by her daughter Susan Murray, son-in-law Duane Drobot, grandchildren Mya, Brooklyn and Lauryn Drobot (Comox, BC), son Scott Murray (Fort St. John, BC), sister Patricia and brother-in-law Boyd Mather (Kelowna, BC), and many other relatives and friends whom she loved dearly.
Jan's Celebration of Life Service will be held at G.F. Oliver Funeral Chapel in Creston, BC at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 6, 2013. To follow will be a Time of Fellowship in the Morris Greenhouse Gardens.
Thank you to Dr. Hopkins, the nurses at the hospital, and home support for providing Jan with compassion and good medical care. Pastor Harry Haberstock, your thoughtful prayers and warm hugs were so comforting during Jan's final days. To all the family and friends who supported Jan and her children during this emotional time, you will forever be in their hearts.
Memorial donations can be made to the Canyon Community Association Playground Fund in Jan (Murray) Horsnell's name. Cheques can be mailed to Canyon Community Association, Box 24, Canyon, BC, V0B 1C0, or you can use the Paypal link at www.canyonbc.ca.