Janet Roy

Janet Johnston Roy died peacefully at her home on August 21st, 2020, surrounded by her loving family and her selfless caregivers one week shy of her 89th birthday. Janet was predeceased by her husband T Lloyd Roy who she missed every day since his passing in 1999. He is probably giving her a big hug right now and because of their difference in height, her face is being squished by his glasses in his top pocket.

Born in Ottawa on Aug 28th, 1931, Janet was the youngest of four children.  She is now catching up with her parents Florence and Alex Jamieson, brothers Gilbert and Mack Jamieson, her sister Betty Jamieson, sisters-in-law Nora Jamieson and May Schaber, brother in law Art Schaber as well as niece Vicki Burch and great nephew Tom Jamieson who all went to Heaven before her.

Janet had an exceptional life as a musician travelling the world and performing at amazing concert halls from Carnegie Hall, NYC to Philharmonic Hall in Russia. She ‘acquired’ many original room keys from her travels around the world.

Janet studied violin with Kathleen Parlow at the University of Toronto where she attained her Artists Diploma. She sang with the Festival Singers of Canada and at the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Toronto; was concertmaster of the CBC orchestra in Ottawa and spent 31 years as the Principal Second Violin of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Most recently, she was Concertmaster of the St John’s Strings.  Janet performed in many chamber concerts and recitals as violinist, violist and singer. She was passionate to explore new music as well as giving a new interpretation to a piece she had performed many times.

Janet loved her pets especially, most recently, her dog Scallywag. She loved photography, nature, painting, crafts, playing Scrabble and doing word puzzles. Janet loved exploring nature and was in constant awe of it. She loved to swim and to be around water and enjoyed the many cottage experiences she shared with family. Janet was proud of her Scottish heritage and had stories from her many visits to her mother’s family home, Cullisse.  Janet was independent, quirky, creative, an artist, and the consummate diva – she loved to make an entrance!

Janet was proud grandma to Amanda Coe and Andrew Coe; cherished mother to daughters Nancy Coe (Martin), Alison Roy and Marion Roy (Paul Kennedy)(Ryan, Joy and Sam); loving aunt to her nieces and nephews Judy Schaber (Mike Dacey), Wally Schaber (Louise Gaulin), Mary Engel (Jim), Peter Schaber (Sharon), Scot Jamieson (Norma Corbett), Bruce Jamieson and Anne Jamieson as well as many great nieces and nephews (Graham, Rosie, Owen, Evan, Meghan, Sarah, Ben, Jacob, Nick)  and one Grand Niece Augusta May.

There will be a funeral on Saturday September 5th at 2 p.m at Tubman Funeral Homes – Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Road, Nepean, ON K2H 8H7. ( Due to COVID protocols, there is a limitation of 75 people who can attend the funeral.) If you are interested in attending or watching the live feed, please contact www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com  to be added to the list.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting a Canadian Arts organization of your choice; or to the “Mrs. Janet and T.L. Roy Fund” through Ottawa Community Foundation.  This foundation was created in 1999 by Janet to provide breakfast for Ottawa school children.

Take each day to see the beauty around you and smile at someone just to say hello, just as Janet would have done.