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BENCZE, Janice Elaine
May 3, 1964 — October 22, 2024
Janice Elaine Bencze, born May 3, 1964, passed away on October 22, 2024.
Daughter of Peter Bencze and Vera Bencze, Janice was the fourth child in the family of seven raised in Lestock, Saskatchewan. Surrounded by five brothers and one sister, she grew up strong, active, and resilient. Janice was an all-star athlete, playing softball, volleyball, curling, and track throughout her teen years. After moving to Regina with her mother and younger brothers for her final year of school, Janice trained in the Navy. Later, she completed a degree in criminology at Simon Fraser University, working any and all jobs to fund her education. Her degree led to 25 years of service as a constable in the Vancouver Police Department.
Respectfully and reverently known to the inhabitants of Vancouver’s downtown East Side as “The Dragon Lady,” Janice dedicated herself to understanding her community. She empowered those less fortunate with dignity and empathetic humanity. Janice did not tolerate biases, prejudices, or disrespect directed to the members of this community. Janice never spoke about her work, staying quiet in order to protect and aid women in unsafe situations. Her dedication and care for the people in her community, along with the volunteer work she pursued, earned Janice two rare awards from the Police Superintendent. Janice is missed and honoured by her past squad members, and the people she worked with.
Janice was devoted to her family and friends. With her dazzling smile, bubbling laughter, and wit, Janice won the hearts of anyone she met. She loved travelling, especially exploring South America, which led to her love of Spanish music. Her athleticism lent well to keeping up with her nieces, Emerson and Madeleine, as they grew up. Janice said yes to whatever was requested, from a game of pool volleyball, rounds of badminton, or holding a chicken while on a swing. Janice’s love was evident in her actions, creating strong, lasting connections.
In 2018, Janice was diagnosed with a rare, neurologically degenerative disease called Huntington’s. This genetic disease, no matter how early it is caught, is fatal, and research on it is still new. Despite the toll this disease took on Janice’s mobility, speech, dignity, and quality of life, she remained playful, intensely independent, and caring. Her smile lit up any room, even in her final days. As her brother Glenn often remarked, “She is the best of us.”
Janice is survived by her five brothers: Mark, Roy, Glenn, Patrick, and Chris (Danica); her sister, Maureen; and her nieces, Emerson and Madeleine Rogers. Her loss is grieved profoundly by all who loved and knew her.
A celebration of her life will be held on SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2025, AT 1:00 PM, located at HMCS Queen, 100 100 Navy Way, in Regina, Saskatchewan, in a joint celebration with her mother Vera.
If you are unable to attend and would like to honour her legacy, please consider donating to the Huntington Society of Canada or to your local women’s shelter, to help carry on the autonomy, dignity, and grace that Janice fought so hard to ensure for herself and for others.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
May 3 1964 — October 22 2024
Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique
death notice BENCZE Janice Elaine May 3 1964 — October 22 2024
obituaries notice BENCZE Janice Elaine May 3 1964 — October 22 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of BENCZE Janice Elaine May 3 1964 — October 22 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
