Janet Cynthia Funk

Janet passed away on a warm, blue-sky Sunday morning to be with God, whom she truly and deeply loved.

Left to mourn are her husband, Steve; sister, Diane; brother-in-law, Jeff; her beloved nephew, Alexander; her beloved niece, Kathleen; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Jean; the Stone Family; and her beautiful dog, Freya.

From the time she joined St. John Ambulance First Aid at the age of ten, Janet dedicated her life to helping others. Her career in healthcare spanned many roles: health care aide, psychiatric nurse, pre-and-post operative nurse, emergency room nurse, flight nurse, surgical daycare nurse, and ultimately an oncology nurse.

Beyond her profession, Janet lived fully and fearlessly. She wrote children's books about her dog ("Freya the Brave Sausage" and "Olive at the Hospital"), hiked to Mt. Everest base camp, and traveled to China on a health mission. She co-founded an oncology support group at Burnaby Hospital, won a $30,000 award from Roche Canada for her innovative idea to support chemotherapy patients, and created software with her sister to help patients manage their treatment side effects.

When cancer no longer allowed her to continue her nursing work, she embraced new joys with Steve and Freya. Together they found peace in camping adventures and purpose in training Freya to be a therapy dog. With Freya at their side, they volunteered at the Coroner's Service, Fellburn Care Centre, Burnaby Hospital, and Vancouver International Airport, bringing comfort and smiles wherever they went. She delighted in planning birthday parties for Freya, dressing her in whimsical costumes — whether as the Grinch's dog Max, a Chinese New Year dragon, a pilot, or a doctor — and decorating her ward that reflected her playful spirit and love of life.

She was the "Crazy Auntie" to Alexander and Kathleen, the most devoted mother to her dog Freya, and a loving caregiver to her parents.

Her favorite Bible verse was 2 Corinthians 1:2-4.

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

A private event is planned for the future.

"Auntie, life will never be as much fun as it was when you were here with us."

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be directed to Al-Anon, The Cinderella Project or St. John Pet Therapy.