The family of the late Vivian Janis Whatley (Erickson) announces her passing on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 after a brief yet courageous battle with cancer.
Janis was born on December 12, 1945 in Port Arthur, Ontario, the oldest of five children. She attended Claude E. Garton & Black Bay Elementary Schools, and graduated from Lakeview High School. After graduating from high school, she began her employment with Seaman, Kajander and Blanchard, where she worked for 8 years. She was a stay-at-home mom for 4 years. In 1982, she was the first employee to be hired after Baxter Insurance changed to Thunder Bay Insurance. She worked there for 32 years in almost every department, and was a Senior Underwriter for many years. She was honoured with an IBAO Award of Excellence in 2013 for her many years of service in the insurance industry. She was the last employee to retire from Thunder Bay Insurance before it changed names.
Family was always the most important thing to Mom. She was happiest when surrounded by her grandchildren; they were the light of her life! Mom had a green thumb; she enjoyed planting her flower gardens every spring, and maintaining her many luxuriant house plants. She loved the time she spent fishing on Lake Nipigon with Doug, Captain Paul Odorizzi, and many family members.
Janis will be fondly remembered by Doug, her loving husband of 48 years, son Brett (Caroline, Savannah and Viann of Stoney Creek, Ontario), son Ryan (Carolyn, Jonathan, Matthew, Faith and Lucas), and daughter Kim (Adrien, Aidyn, Kai, Raiya and Aimirah) Ladouceur, sisters Barbara (late Trevor) Bruce and Judy (Ken) Dahl, brothers Roger (Helen) Erickson and Roland (Mira) Erickson, and other extended family.
Janis was predeceased by her parents, Roger and Vivian (Poulin) Erickson, in-laws Walter & Edith (Jalava) Whatley, and grandson Samuel Whatley.
Thank you to Thunder Bay Insurance for their continued care and concern, to the Oncology & Palliative Care team on 1A, and to the family and friends who took turns at her bedside to make sure she was well taken care of.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16, 2015 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, presided by Rev. Matthew Diegel of Our Saviour’s and Immanuel Lutheran Parishes. Interment in Riverside Cemetery will take place at a later date. Visitation for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. As expressions of sympathy in lieu of flowers, donations in Janis’ memory to Princess Margaret Hospital, TBRHSC Cancer Clinic, or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.
