I remember Janet with great sadness. She and I were good friends. She came from a very dysfunctional family. Her dad would put the bird cage on her usual seat at the family dinner table and she was made to eat in the unfinished basement alone. When I became aware of how really bad it was she came to live with my family for a while. My parents had no problem adding one more to their already large family but they needed to have BC Medical cover her. Since they couldn't add her to their plan without adopting her legally she was forced into the "Foster " home system. She was moved around. The last place she stayed was in a large rambling house in her grade twelve year. She was their "work horse", they had other foster kids and Janet was basically made to take care of them and do most of the housework. She was used to being treated badly so she remained there until graduation. We lost touch when school ended and we all had to find jobs and freedom. When I heard a few years later that she had taken her own life I was very saddened and regretted not putting more effort into finding her.
I remember Janet. I know she died young before our 20 year reunion and have wondered what happened to her. She and I did spend time as roommates after graduation for about one year. We shared an apartment and had a good time together. We were both working. Then we lost contact with each other.
Janet was a lovely girl and I am so sorry to hear of her passing. We became friends in grade 9 and there was a small group of us that hung out together. She was not the only one that had a troubled homelife, and none of us talked about it. RIP Janet.
I knew Janet Morgan as children, up to Grade 7. We walked to school together as we lived a block away. Janet's Mother was always friendly and nice to me. Janet's Dad was a mean man. I once moved a piece of the Railway Village he had on a large table in the basement, he started to yell at Janet, and I said it was me. Mr Morgan held back, I was told never to touch the table again. We did tho and made sure it was back in order. Janet's dad was an alcoholic and a mean one.
Yes, Patsy we all had problems and some more than others. l grew apart from Janet and did not meet her until late sixties or early seventies. Janet was a security courier when I met her for brokerage firms. Janet was engaged to be married and I wished her well. I gave her my number as I was married to Bryant by then. She promised to call but never did.
I was very shocked and sad to hear that she had passed away. I do not think we could have helped by then BUT maybe when we were younger. Janet had a challenged older brother and a spoiled younger brother. I got a little stab in my heart hearing that she took her own life. She was slightly aloof when we met but warmed slightly after 20 minutes. We hugged and promised to call, she would not give me her number. If we are spiritual then let's hope she can live a better life next time...
I'm so glad that others remember Janet. Thanks for those that also posted views. I grew up in an alcoholic environment, ( many generations ) so now Janet's situation makes sense to me. I have been going to Al-Anon for many years ( for friends and family of alcoholics ) and now am able to cope with it's effects in the family. Unfortunately when you grow up in such dysfunction you usually marry back into the same situation because that's what seems normal. I married a man ( the first time ) that also came from the same dysfunction as myself and I stayed too long for my own health. I thought of suicide many times, even attempted it when I was 21, fortunately I wasn't sucessful. Sadly many of us in difficult situations were taught to keep secrets because we didn't understand and because of the shame. I thought it was just me, and that everyone else was coping really well. I think many of us were just putting on a good face and also thinking we were the only one hurting. I'm very open about my family life now because I don't want to contribute to others thinking they are all alone any longer. The thing I remember about Janet the most is her infectious smile ( when it happened), her loud laughter, and her kind and gentle spirit.
Hi, I knew Janet at Gladstone and then when we became roommates after graduation. It's nice to know that some of you knew her too. I don't think that most of us knew about abusive parents. We all probably thought life was like what we were experiencing in our homes when we were growing up. Janet only spoke briefly from time to time about her home life when we were together...nothing too much. I remember her saying she was going to get married. I was happy for her. I have wondered for years what happened to her. Your comments have filled in some of the blanks for me. Thanks..
Some memories lay hidden for some reason and then slowly come forward when triggered by something. I remember Janet but it is more of a feeling. She was in band and so was I. I remember this beautiful red haired young woman who had a fantastic smile. I remember that I really liked her but I have a feeling that sometimes she was grumpy toward me. I have a feeling that there is more but it is still hidden.
I also know that I feel a deep sadness that she was so unhappy that she left us early. I believe we come back and so I hope that this time around she has been able to find happiness.
Margo Henderson (Lott)
Sandra Steele Heinemann
I remember Janet with great sadness. She and I were good friends. She came from a very dysfunctional family. Her dad would put the bird cage on her usual seat at the family dinner table and she was made to eat in the unfinished basement alone. When I became aware of how really bad it was she came to live with my family for a while. My parents had no problem adding one more to their already large family but they needed to have BC Medical cover her. Since they couldn't add her to their plan without adopting her legally she was forced into the "Foster " home system. She was moved around. The last place she stayed was in a large rambling house in her grade twelve year. She was their "work horse", they had other foster kids and Janet was basically made to take care of them and do most of the housework. She was used to being treated badly so she remained there until graduation. We lost touch when school ended and we all had to find jobs and freedom. When I heard a few years later that she had taken her own life I was very saddened and regretted not putting more effort into finding her.
Margo Henderson (Lott)
Kathy (Kathi) King
I remember Janet. I know she died young before our 20 year reunion and have wondered what happened to her. She and I did spend time as roommates after graduation for about one year. We shared an apartment and had a good time together. We were both working. Then we lost contact with each other.
Loretta Major (Totten)
I wish I'd realized how difficult her life was while we were in school, maybe a few more friends would have helped her situation.
Margo Henderson (Lott)
Patsy (Pat) Perpete Mesic
Janet was a lovely girl and I am so sorry to hear of her passing. We became friends in grade 9 and there was a small group of us that hung out together. She was not the only one that had a troubled homelife, and none of us talked about it. RIP Janet.
Margo Henderson (Lott)
Linda (Kiceluk) Knox wrote:
I knew Janet Morgan as children, up to Grade 7. We walked to school together as we lived a block away. Janet's Mother was always friendly and nice to me. Janet's Dad was a mean man. I once moved a piece of the Railway Village he had on a large table in the basement, he started to yell at Janet, and I said it was me. Mr Morgan held back, I was told never to touch the table again. We did tho and made sure it was back in order. Janet's dad was an alcoholic and a mean one.
Yes, Patsy we all had problems and some more than others. l grew apart from Janet and did not meet her until late sixties or early seventies. Janet was a security courier when I met her for brokerage firms. Janet was engaged to be married and I wished her well. I gave her my number as I was married to Bryant by then. She promised to call but never did.
I was very shocked and sad to hear that she had passed away. I do not think we could have helped by then BUT maybe when we were younger. Janet had a challenged older brother and a spoiled younger brother. I got a little stab in my heart hearing that she took her own life. She was slightly aloof when we met but warmed slightly after 20 minutes. We hugged and promised to call, she would not give me her number. If we are spiritual then let's hope she can live a better life next time...
Sandra (Sandee) Steele (Heinemann)
I'm so glad that others remember Janet. Thanks for those that also posted views. I grew up in an alcoholic environment, ( many generations ) so now Janet's situation makes sense to me. I have been going to Al-Anon for many years ( for friends and family of alcoholics ) and now am able to cope with it's effects in the family. Unfortunately when you grow up in such dysfunction you usually marry back into the same situation because that's what seems normal. I married a man ( the first time ) that also came from the same dysfunction as myself and I stayed too long for my own health. I thought of suicide many times, even attempted it when I was 21, fortunately I wasn't sucessful. Sadly many of us in difficult situations were taught to keep secrets because we didn't understand and because of the shame. I thought it was just me, and that everyone else was coping really well. I think many of us were just putting on a good face and also thinking we were the only one hurting. I'm very open about my family life now because I don't want to contribute to others thinking they are all alone any longer. The thing I remember about Janet the most is her infectious smile ( when it happened), her loud laughter, and her kind and gentle spirit.
Kathy (Kathi) King
Hi, I knew Janet at Gladstone and then when we became roommates after graduation. It's nice to know that some of you knew her too. I don't think that most of us knew about abusive parents. We all probably thought life was like what we were experiencing in our homes when we were growing up. Janet only spoke briefly from time to time about her home life when we were together...nothing too much. I remember her saying she was going to get married. I was happy for her. I have wondered for years what happened to her. Your comments have filled in some of the blanks for me. Thanks..
Rick Chadwick
Some memories lay hidden for some reason and then slowly come forward when triggered by something. I remember Janet but it is more of a feeling. She was in band and so was I. I remember this beautiful red haired young woman who had a fantastic smile. I remember that I really liked her but I have a feeling that sometimes she was grumpy toward me. I have a feeling that there is more but it is still hidden.
I also know that I feel a deep sadness that she was so unhappy that she left us early. I believe we come back and so I hope that this time around she has been able to find happiness.