CHURCH

The family of Janette Marie Church, 79, of Centre, announce her passing on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Q.E. II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Halifax, Janette was the daughter of the late Joseph (Henri) and Marjorie (Nelson) Grondin. She attended Lunenburg Academy and Centre Consolidated School before beginning a family of her own.

Janette was a passionate, determined woman who gave her very best to everything she did. As a young girl, she cared for her brothers, an experience that shaped her deeply and prepared her for motherhood. While raising three children, she completed her GED as well as a medical terminology course—setting a lasting example for her children that with effort, anything is possible.  She was also a guider in Brownies, Guides and Scouts. Janette was President of Lunenburg Bowling League.   She was very involved in her church community as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent, a dedicated member of the Board of Managers as well as a member of the Session.

Throughout her working life, Janette formed many lifelong friendships. She was employed at the Kinley Drug Store, Zwicker’s Variety, Oxner’s IGA, Stedman’s Store, Fisheries Museum Canteen, Capt’n Angus Restaurant, Dr.’s Patterson, Morse & Kelly office (now Pelham Medical), and the Look and Sea Boat Tours ticket booth. She was also an Avon representative and was proud to have earned several Mrs. Albee sales awards.

Janette loved being surrounded by family and friends and embraced every opportunity to spend time with them. Over the years, she enjoyed bingo, card parties, knitting, crocheting, travelling, celebrating special occasions, camping at Mush-a-Mush, local dances and valley dances, couples skating with Ralphie, curling, thrift stores, yard sales, casinos, and any kind of shopping—especially at Princess Auto, Bargain Harley’s, and Costco. Among her most memorable travels were trips to Germany and surrounding countries, an Alaskan cruise, the Rocky Mountains, Disney World, England, and many adventures throughout the United States.

It was her hope that those she loved would remember her as someone who was caring and fun to be with. Janette’s family, friends and even casual acquaintances will deeply miss her enormous hugs which made them all the more memorable coming from such a tiny woman.

Janette is survived by her loving husband of sixty-four years, Ralph; daughter Vicki (Doug) Church Reinhard, Mount Dora, Florida; son Trevor (Cate MacPhee), Mader’s Cove; son-in-law Ronnie Lohnes, Pine Grove; grandchildren Cory (Megan) Yee, Logan Church (Jade Poirier), Kristin (Tyler) Dagley, Erica Allen, Nicole (Chris) Floyd; and great-grandchildren Darius, Dreyden, Daxton, Cohen, and Keegan.

She was predeceased by her parents; stepfather, Benjamin Abbott; daughter, Shelley Lohnes; brothers, Clarence, and Robert Grondin; and stepbrother, Michel Grondin.

A Memorial Service for Janette will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Lunenburg, with a reception to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #23 Lunenburg. Interment will take place at a later date.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Personal Care Cremations & Memorial Services.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.