She was born on July 21, 1929 on the Elora Road South family farm to parents Edward and Lenora (Ward) Maxwell. Early life on the farm led to formal education at the Ellengowan one room school, followed by the completion of her school career at the Paisley Continuation School.
Soon afterwards she fell in love with Hughie Stark and they were married in 1948. Together they welcomed 4 children into their family, Anne, Charlie, Donna and Shirley. Life on the 22nd of Greenock was busy as she raised her family. Having grown up in the challenging times of the Great Depression and WWII, she learned early on the value of a dollar and how to repair or repurpose almost everything. Nothing went to waste.
When her children were a little older, she worked for the Bruce Municipal Telephone System as a switchboard operator until direct dial calling rendered operators almost obsolete. The Vanderplas 5 cents to $1 store afforded Janet the opportunity to work in retail and become more involved in her community.
After Hugh’s passing in 1977, Janet remained on the 22nd, before moving into Paisley to begin a new life with her partner, George Becker. Their newly expanded family included numerous grandchildren who could often be found playing with the Muppet mini-mobiles on the living room coffee table.
No one ever left Janet’s kitchen hungry. Janet was an excellent cook with desserts being a favourite. If you could make it with raisins, it was on Janet’s list of delicious sweets – pie, rice pudding, butter tarts, muffins, scones, cookies and more.
The travel bug bit Janet often, with trips to Switzerland and Argentina being highlights. Before and after George retired, the camper was usually loaded and off on another adventure somewhere in Canada – east coast, west coast, Yukon & Alaska. When it was too snowy for camping, she and George headed to Florida for a few winters to escape the cold. There were many campfires with time sharing stories in the macrame lawn chairs that she and George were well known for making.
When Janet wasn’t cooking, baking or travelling, she usually had a quilt or knitting needles in her hands. Each of her children and grandchildren were the grateful recipients of one of her handcrafted quilts as gorgeous keepsakes. Her magic knitting needles created countless pairs of socks, comforters, dish cloths, baby sweaters, mitts and toques. The local chapter of the Walkerton Hospital Auxiliary was dear to her heart and she completed numerous quilts with the auxiliary to support the Hospital Foundation.
Janet Hope Stark led a full and rewarding life, and family was most cherished by her. She was never happier than when family and friends came to visit and share time with her. You never planned on a short visit, as she spoiled her grandchildren and great grandchildren at every opportunity.
The family of Janet wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at Brucelea Haven for their exceptional love and support for Janet. Angels truly do walk among us!
Janet will be fondly remembered by George’s children and their families. Her life will be celebrated by her children, Anne and Al Roberts, Charlie and Marg Stark, Donna and Ken Cormack and Shirley Bushell at a private family memorial with inurnment at Starkvale Cemetery, Paisley.
