Janet Small Obituary, Death – Janet Margaret (MacDonnell) Small, who was born on July 4, 1965, died on November 24, 2022. Janet was born on a warm, sunny summer day, which is not surprising given that she was known throughout her life for her natural warmth and for brightening the lives of those around her. She was a natural athlete who loved to run and was always on the go. She ran a half marathon in Florida to raise funds for cancer research after her father was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. She adored horses and dogs, particularly German Shepherds, but she also adored her two daughters, Dakota and Devyn, as well as her partner, Kip.
Janet went on to have a successful 28-year career in the OPP, despite a brief stint in The Love Flowers, a Partridge Family cover band that performed on their parents’ back porch. She was dedicated to her work in the OPP and would have stayed longer if she hadn’t been diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma. “When can I go back to work?” she asked her surgeon following her first craniotomy. Even though she was never able to return to work, her OPP family, as well as her wonderful friends and neighbors, were always there for her and her family. Janet was given a 12-to-14-month prognosis, but she refused to accept it, extending her life to nearly 28 months and allowing her to attend and even dance at her daughter’s wedding.
We thank her for bringing us joy, love, and laughter. And we admire how she handled her diagnosis so cheerfully and graciously. We’d like to thank her entire health care team, particularly Dr. Emmerson, for the palliative care she received, as well as her RN Robin, who was with us throughout the process. Janet’s father, Edward (Ted) MacDonnell, died before her. She is survived by her soulmate Kip Wohlert, daughters Dakota Small (Colin Moore), Devyn Barr (Ethan), sister Virginia Eichhorn (Paul), nephews Zach Mandrapilias (Jessica Allen), Matthew Eichhorn (Savannah Hesse), and Joseph Eichhorn, devoted kitty cat Thunder, and grand-doggy Journey.
On Friday, December 2nd, 2022, visitation will be held at Adams Funeral Home (445 St. Vincent St., Barrie), from 4-8 p.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at St. John Vianney Parish (13 Baldwin Lane, Barrie) at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Eulogies will be delivered during the reception. The family would appreciate donations to the RVH Cancer Unit, Brain Cancer Canada, Hospice Simcoe, or your local SPCA in lieu of flowers. Spend time with your family, go for a walk or run, and, if possible, make space in your home for a cat or dog that needs a person in Janet’s memory.