Obituary of Jannette Harrison

Jannette With heavy hearts, we share that Ruth Jannette Louise Harrison passed away peacefully on January 18, surrounded by her loving husband and children. Jannette will be missed and remembered with love by Goldie, her devoted husband of 63 years, and her children Sharon (& David) Randall, Lorraine (& Don) Wilson, Annette (& Paul) Gillan, Randy (& Tammy Devoe) Harrison. Jannette was a proud and loving grandmother to Jonathan (& Kayla), Laura (& Jason), Jacob (& Meg), Rachel (& Adam), Amanda (& David), Morgan, Scott (& Sydney), Brent, Blake, Areol (& Jory) Leason, and Savanna (& Colton) Monson, adoring great grandmother to Layla, Rylie, Ellie Rae, Tessa, Evren, Seth, Serenity, Corbin, Kable & Karter. She was a dear sister of Shirley (& the late Arthur) Hall, the late Dolly (& Roger) Gauthier, Wendy (& Brad) Ford, Jackie (& Allan) Blanchard, and the late Michael (& Jennifer) Perry. Jannette was born in 1943 to the late Flora (Moors) and Michael Perry, in Georgetown, Ontario. She lived most of her life in Muskoka. Jannette will be remembered for her creativity, her adventurous spirit, and for the love and kindness that she showed her family and many friends. She was a strong woman who lived her life with enthusiasm, and encouraged the people she loved to do the same. Jannette spent many happy hours at her sewing machine. In her most recent years, she created fabulous quilts for everyone in the family. If she wasn’t sewing, she was likely to be working on a knitting project for someone dear to her. In her younger years, Jannette took great joy in working with Goldie to design and build their family homes in Gravenhurst and Washago, and their cabin in the woods near Baysville. She enjoyed snowmobiling, often venturing off the trail to cut her own path. To say that she enjoyed driving her snowmobiles, dune buggies, golf cart, and even her electric wheelchair with ‘reckless abandon’ would not be an exaggeration. She loved spending time on the water, swimming and fishing. Their home on Doe Lake was a dream come true and they loved sharing it with family and friends. Once Jannette and Goldie retired, they travelled across the country in their minivan, dogs along for the ride of course, from Newfoundland to the Yukon. Jannette was a dedicated school bus driver for many years, beginning her career with Hammond Transportation in Bracebridge, also driving in London and Ottawa, Ontario. Jannette and Goldie’s home was never without pets. She cherished her fur friends and will be missed by Pokolo, Chiquita and Jeanie. Jannette was happiest when her home was full of the people she loved. She took pride in making every gathering a special celebration, and new friends were always welcomed. Her friendships, past and present, were very important to her. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the nursing staff and doctors at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and Royal Victoria Hospital’s Cardiac Intervention Unit for their kindness and support over Jannette’s last days. Also, thanks to Dr. Mike & Dr. Kelly of Gravenhurst Chiropractic & Acupuncture Centre, Kimberly Hahn,TCM, of Green River Natural Health, and Anne of Annie Lynders Hairstyling for helping Jannette look and feel her best for many years. In lieu of flowers, and to honor Jannette’s legacy of love and giving, we invite you to make a donation to a charity that’s meaningful to you. No visitation or services will be held at this time. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 24, 1 - 4 pm at the Washago Community Centre, 4361 Hamilton Drive, Washago. Everyone is welcome. Jannette’s love, warmth, and adventurous spirit will live on in the hearts of her family and all who had the privilege of knowing her. We are better for having known her. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.