Peacefully at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice on Monday September 23, 2024 at the age of 83.
Predeceased by her parents William and Elsie Castle. Loving wife of the late Donald James Darlow. Cherished mother of Carol Cordell, and Sue Nadon (Steve). Adored grandmother of Morgan Cordell and Brandon Nadon (Mel Favaro). Sister of the late Chuck Castle and Barbara Castle. Janet will be missed by many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.
Janet emigrated to Canada with her family after completing high school where she was a bright student and athlete at age 16. She met the love of her life, Don, on her first trip from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie to visit her family. Don told her that he was going to marry her the first time he saw her. She was not as certain of that plan, but she was won over by their shared family values as he worked as a very young person, to support and care for his own parents and siblings when his own father took ill. They eventually reconnected when she moved to Sault Ste. Marie to help with the care of her niece, Anita when her mother had to seek treatment in Toronto. She succumbed to our father’s charm, and they remained together with love and dedication.
As a young couple, Don and Janet had his siblings in and out of their home as a safe haven. They were best friends, fishing partners and spent many days on the water with their companion, Odie. We shared their journey through his longstanding heart and kidney disease. She showed courage, love and patience during those unpredictable years, but she was resilient when the odds were stacked against them. As daughters, we were well prepared to show that same care and compassion when it was her turn to be reunited with our father. If there was a silver lining to life's challenges, Carol's return to Sault Ste. Marie after many years away allowed the siblings to support each other through many hardships and they remain committed to each other. We believed that she was invincible, and she met her battle with a rare cancer head on and with humor and the support of her family and friends.
She would like to thank Dr. Fratesi for all his determination to keep her husband and our father, with us for many years more than we expected as well as her brothers-in-laws, Bernie and David with whom they shared a love of fishing and for their support to her over the recent years. She would also like to thank all the doctors we have met on our path since July 2024 for their support during a very difficult time. She would further like to express her gratitude to her home nurses, Cady and Mary from Para-Med and to all the staff at ARCH whom she considers to be the angels on earth for their dedication and the compassion they showed to us as a family during her last days.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home - Barton and Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington St. E, 705-759-2522). In lieu of flowers memorial donations A.R.C.H (online or by cheque) can be made in Janet's honour. Online condolences and tributes can be made and found at www.arthurfuneralhome.com. A private graveside service will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at West Korah Cemetery for family members and friends at 2:30 pm followed by a come and go at Carol Cordell’s home.