Jane’s Obituary
Jane passed peacefully the morning of February 20th, 2020 after fighting Alzheimer’s with incredible courage and grace for over a decade. Jane was born in Kitchener, to parents Dora (née. Barclay) and Jack Galloway with sisters Nancy, Linda, and Joanne. She graduated from Kitchener Collegiate High School where she met sweetheart Rick Mederak, and afterwards explored a number of careers with a sense of charisma and curiosity. After trying her hand working for her father, in department stores, and in a factory, she eventually found her passion in real estate. While it wasn’t always easy, and it certainly took more than a dash of hard work and determination, Jane excelled in her career as a real estate agent. Certainly, due to both to her extraordinary charm and an incredible ability to understand her clients, Jane won many Top Seller awards in the industry.
In addition to excelling in her professional life, Jane was a sister of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Paris, a member of the Brantford Jaycette’s and the Horticultural Society of Paris, and a board member on the Board of Ontario Massage Therapists. Further, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Jane became an active member of the Alzheimer’s Association; sharing her experiences with others and acting as a lobbyist for the Association to the Ontario Legislature. She was as well-rounded as someone can be – and had a passion for giving back to her community.
Jane had two amazing daughters, Lisa and Jennifer, and they were the lights of her world. She raised her daughters with Rick in Paris, and built a far-reaching group of friends. Everyone who met Jane, be it neighbours, clients, associates, or colleagues immediately found her as a friend. Jane’s charm and humour was simply impossible to resist, and because of that, she never truly met a stranger. Jane was naturally the life of every party – she loved to have fun, and lifted the spirits of everyone around her.
Jane found a second home in Melaque, Mexico, where she and Rick would spend almost half of every year. There, as everywhere, she made instant friends and became a part of the community, often collecting donations of clothes and shoes in Canada for those in need in Melaque. Jane and Rick were also able to help raise money to build and paint a local school. She even adopted, much to Rick’s initial chagrin but eventual love, a wonderfully energetic and compassionate puppy, Paco. If Jane couldn’t find enjoyment in all of the places she visited, she created it, and Mexico was no different.
Jane leaves behind her devoted husband of 55 years, Rick Mederak, daughters Lisa Meggs (née. Mederak) and Jennifer Roach (née. Mederak), sons-in-law Randy Meggs and Patrick Roach, grandson Caelan Meggs, sister Nancy Brown (née. Galloway), brother-in-law Frank Brown, sister Linda Galloway, brother-in-law Gerry Gallagher, many nieces and nephews, and too many friends to count. She is predeceased by both parents Dora (nee. Barclay) and Jack Galloway, and sister Joanne Gallagher.
Jane’s family would like to sincerely thank all of the incredible individuals that helped Jane during her time at Telfer Place, St. Joseph’s Mountain Hospital, and the John Noble Home.
Friends will be received at the DWAYNE D. BUDGELL Funeral Home, 1105 Rest Acres Road, on Tuesday from 7 – 9 p.m. Funeral service will be held in the Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday February 26, 2020 at 1 p.m. Father Jason Postma will officiate. Interment will follow in the St. James Anglican Cemetery in Paris, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, Jane’s family would love any donations made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Online donations and condolences may be made at www.budgellfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Jane Mederak nee Galloway January 18 1943 February 20 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Paris, Province: Ontario