Janet Huber is moving on in Her Life’s Journey It is with deep love and profounds sadness that the family of Janet Huber announce her passing, on September 6, 2026 following a eighteen month – long struggle with brain cancer.
Janet was welcomed as the third child to her family, in Galt on January 26, 1951. Her parents, George (d. 1970) and Frances Moran (d.2022), provided a warm and stable childhood, together with her older sister, Carol Wing (Gordon); older brother, Rod Moran (d.2015) Sherry; and younger sister Mary Eby (Jeff), who joined the family 2 ½ years later.
She grew up at the top of the old Concession Street Hill, attended the old Central Public School and later, Glenview Park Secondary School, where she was actively involved in student governance and from which she graduated, in 1970, as an Ontario Scholar.
Janet had a talent for playing the piano. She studied the Royal Conservatory of Music curriculum with Louise Burtch, who was not impressed with her tendency to not practise between her weekly lessons. In fact, Miss Burtch called Janet’s dad to tell him he was wasting his money. Dad persisted and, under pressure, Janet was always well prepared for her exams and various Kiwanis Festival competitions. Before, the high- tech applications, Miss Burtch phoned each of her students, had a family member hold the phone close to the student so she could put them through paces.
Because her father had passed away from abdominal cancer in 1970, Janet elected to attend the University of Guelph, which was close to Galt and enabled her to return home each weekend to play the organ at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church, as her part time job. She typically tried to complete all of her university assignments by Thursday evening, so she could return home unencumbered by schoolwork. This likely detracted from her university experience but, nevertheless, she had a capacity for making friends during the weekdays.
By that time, Carol and Rod were married with children so Janet and Mary, as the post- war cohort were still living at home.
To her credit, Janet’ s mom tried to make the pre- university summer, as normal as possible with several day trips, a memorable trip to Quebec City and attendance to the first stint of Jesus Christ Super Star in Toronto. Between university terms, Janet worked in the office at Hostess (Lay’s) Potato Chips.
Following graduation from the University of Guelph in 1973, Janet began her role at Princess Margaret Hospital as a buyer – then materials manager.
Following her initial position a PMH, Janet was recruited to the Orthopaedic and Arthritic Hospital by CEO, Barry Monaghan. Because the PMH 2 IC was resistant to Barry’s “poaching”, this position turned out to be shared for 3 years, until Barry accepted the inaugural role as CEO of the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network so he wanted me to fully commit to the Orthopaedic Hospital before he left the organization. Barry turned out to be not only my boss (2 times), but my mentor and now my friend. From there, I became a vice president, COO until there was a merger among Sunnybrook, the Orthopaedic and Arthritic and Women’s College Hospitals at which point I became the VP of Sunnybrook and COO of the Orthopaedic and Arthritic. My sole mission in life was to ensure that the O&A remained a stand alone, elective joint replacement centre, on Wellesley Street. Mission accomplished!
There were plenty of legal and contractual challenges associated with this merger for which I am grateful to Pearl Veenema who took the lead on this aspect. We are fast friends to this day. Pearl pivoted to Healthcare fundraising where she made her mark in a very big way, most recently retired as CEO of the Hamilton Health Sciences group of hospitals.
In addition to Barry and Pearl, there are so many people and organizations to thank:
• My friends and neighbours on West River Road and Gaskin Ave for their time/ attention/food/ and love (the MacInnes, Cathie and Ken, the Bennetts, the Christoffersons, the Van Konynenburgs, the Sahotas, the Taylors
• My friends at Probus –especially Heather, Helen, Liz, Deb, Connie
• My Book Buddies
• CFUW – I was the recipient of one of their scholarship awards back in 1971 – wanted to give back
• My investment club
• Addison Women’s Choir – for keeping in touch with cards and emails
• Kate Cressman who recruited me to the CMH Foundation Board
• My West Park Pals – Susan, David, Peter, Rajka
• Anne Marie Malek (CEO) and Stuart Reynolds (Board Chair) – West Park HCC
FAMILY
• Adam, Jonathan their respective partners, Ms Crystal Jenkins and Dr. Marissa Laureano for their love, patience and understanding
• My sister, Mary Eby – for her love, patience and frequent visits
• My cousins Rick and Iain for their visits and keeping me well fed
• My pup, Abby, who witnessed my first seizure and hasn’t left my side since, except to go for long walks with Rolf
• My husband, Rolf for his loving dedication to attending to my physical and emotional needs and wants – driving me to Jurvinsky, making sure my meds were in order and on time, listening to me and just being there as an advocate for my care
EXTENDED FAMILY
• Fondly remembered by several nephews and their children – David ( Coleen), Michael ( Deb), Geoff, (Lindsay), Rod ( Jenn), Jason ( Patti), Christopher, Graham (Joanna) and one niece Laura (Matt)
• Missed by Rolf’s sister – Susanna Phillips and her husband , Michael and their daughters Michelle ( Ron); Monique (Alex) and their 8 children.
• Predeceased by Rolf’s parents – Willi and Trudy Huber; the Phillips children – Denise and Christopher; and Trevor – son of Michael and Deb Wing
MY MEDICAL TEAM
• CAMBRIDGE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL – the paramedics/ the ER team of doctors and nurses who, on Tuesday January 21, did a preliminary diagnosis,
• transferred me to Hamilton Health Sciences on Jan 23, 2025, for confirmation o We are very fortunate to have such a modern well- equipped hospital in Cambridge – my charity of choice on an ongoing basis
• Hamilton Health Sciences – Hamilton General Site
Dr. A. OMAR – Neurosurgeon – had me booked as his first case the following Monday (27th) to remove a very aggressive tumour
• Following discharge from Dr. Omar’s care, I was transferred to the Juravinski Cancer Centre for 15 rounds of radiation with concurrent chemo – under the care of Dr Ronald Ramos- rang the bell on April 9, 2025, to celebrate – second 5 rounds of radiation in 2026
• May 11 – Mothers Day – had an MRI at Juravinski
• August 17- had another MRI – Results disappointing- referred to PMH for a clinical trial – went to Toronto twice until it was not worth it
• March 22, 2026 – Another MRI – Results indicate the primary tumour has grown in size and 5 days of radiation are recommended
• No cure – just controlling the tumour growth
• Standard of care – infusion of drug intended to block the supply of oxygen to the tumour (every 2 weeks); chemo every 6 weeks
• Ontario Health at Home – Paramed Palliative Care Team – nurse visits weekly to assess how I’m doing (e.g. Ghita, Armanda)
• Ontario Health at Home – Dr. Sandor – Palliative Care Physician
Retired in 2013, Janet returned to Cambridge. She enjoyed a challenging, progressive career in Healthcare and related volunteer activities.
Janet and Rolf met while enrolled in the MBA program at York University, married on April 29, 1977 and have 2 sons, Adam (b.1982) and Jonathan (b. 1986). They, together with their respective partners, Ms. Crystal Jenkins and Dr. Marissa Laureano will remember Janet as a loving and lasting life force. They will be supportive and attentive to Rolf, as he mourns the loss of his wife and partner.
From the Cambridge Hospital Foundation Website
“A native of Cambridge, Janet Huber is a retired healthcare executive who held leadership positions at several Toronto hospitals during her 40-year career. She has extensive experience in leading change, promoting effectiveness, and building and encouraging high-performing clinical and operational teams.
A graduate of Guelph and Queen’s Universities, Janet has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a Master of Public Administration and certifications in healthcare management, operations leadership and not-for-profit governance. She is a current member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders.
Janet has extensive volunteer experience and, since returning to Cambridge, served as Vice-chair of the Waterloo- Wellington Community Care Access Centre and is actively involved with the Women’s PROBUS Club, the Canadian Federation of University Women and is a member of the WeCareCMH North Dumfries Campaign, a powerhouse of a team that has raised over $2 million toward the WeCareCare campaign.
She recently retired as a Director of the CMH Foundation Board where she served as Board Secretary and chair of the Governance Committee”
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate your consideration of a donation to;
• the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation;
• the Hamilton Health Sciences (Hamilton General Hospital – in honour of Dr. A. Omar);
• or the Juravinski Cancer Centre – In honour of Dr. R. Ramos. These organizations provided me exemplary health care.
Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Corbett’s Funeral Home, Trinity Church, Mary, Cheryl.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate your consideration of a donation to; • the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation; • the Hamilton Health Sciences (Hamilton General Hospital - in honour of Dr.
Celebrationoflife
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Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
