Obituary of Janet Furnell

Janet Marjorie Furnell of Camrose, Alberta passed away on Wednesday, July 5, 2017 at the age of 99 years. Janet was born on a farm east of Camrose on October 4, 1917. She was the last of her generation of Blades. She was predeceased by her brothers Chris, Ernest, Ted, Len, Ray, Bernard, Laurie, Norm, Vic, Ron, Les and sister Lily. Janet was a bit of a tomboy growing up with her brothers and many animals including pet coyotes. When she was eight her mother died and Janet spent more time with her sister and family (the Elvidges) taking most of her public schooling in Edmonton and Red Deer. In her teens she returned to the farm and looked after her father while attending Vermillion Agriculture College. She married Don Furnell in 1941 and became an air force wife living in places across Canada and in Germany. When Don retired they made their home in Red Deer, but continued to travel extensively to such places as Peru, Singapore, Australia, Cypress, Egypt, Europe and throughout Canada. After Don's passing in 2010, they moved to Camrose. Janet was a very loving and much loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a sportswoman, seamstress, gardener and, like many prairie raised women, she was an extraordinarily good cook. She held many volunteer positions in the air force and then in the Anglican Church. Janet is survived by her son John (Sharon) Furnell and daughter Margery (Harry) Gaede; her five grandchildren Erin (Jen), Mathew (Kari), Elisa (Zach), Theresa, and Donald (Anna); as well as eight great-grandchildren Kylie, Kelin, Alyssa, Charlie, Henry, Sydney, Maxim and Benoit. To her family, Janet was "The Wings Beneath Our Feet" Memorial service details will be announced at a later date.