Janine COBB Obituary

Kathy Aitken, Bonnie Kaplan and Margo Siminovitch were in a reading group with Janine for about 15 years. She became our treasured friend and we miss her! This is a picture of the whole reading group at Janine's 70th birthday party.

We three Thorson sisters were talking about "Auntie Janine" just last evening on a group call, and I had resolved to email her in the next day or two to check in. It goes without saying that when we discovered her memorial service was taking place at the exact moment we were learning of her passing, we were heartbroken and deeply affected.
As our mother Jane´s best friend and maid of honour, Janine (alongside "Uncle Jack"), was a fixture in our lives as we grew up in Ottawa, and I remember many parties, visits to our cottage in Ompah, and other social events when Janine and Jack bewitched me with their humour, witty repartee and wisdom. A truly beautiful couple. I was honoured to have them as guests at my wedding in 1996, and through Mom, remained in periodic touch. Becky and I last saw Janine just over three years ago, soon after our own mother had died, during a lovely afternoon visit at her retirement residence. Stories and photos were shared, and we were (partially) brought up to date on the busy lives of her five beloved children.
Janine made the world so much better for having brought her love, kindness, compassion and grit to so many. I will well and truly miss her.
With love to all you Cobbs,
Jennifer Thorson
Uxbridge, Ontario

Mrs Cobb, my favourite teacher at Vanier (1982-84), inflicted Sociology on me to the extent I subsequently signed up for a degree (BA Sociology-Pol Sci) at McGill and later pursued varied assignments in public policy and education. Her depth of knowledge and sensitivity were only exceeded by her skilful management of a college classroom- somehow, there was always a high level of discourse without any student left behind. Among the best moments were her dealings with back-row junior philosophers and the kids with `tude- they (we) never stood a chance. Great times... she was probably too humble to appreciate her impact on so many. My condolences to family and friends for your loss. what a life lived.

Condolences to the extended family. Janine O'Leary Cobb inspired me to learn more about menopause as Health Editor at Chatelaine magazine. When Janine sold her newsletter, A Friend Indeed, to the Winnipeg Women's Health Collective, they hired me to become the next editor once I had left Chatelaine. It was an honour to carry on her excellent work.

To all of Janine´s family please accept my condolence . I have many fond memories , even though years ago ,of Thanksgiving dinners at Elise´s with everyone as well as fun times at the lake . I am sure there are so many memories and the love you all share that help at a time like this .
Fondly
Scott