It is with heavy hearts that the family of Janice Pauline Sabourin (nee Bohaichuk) announces her passing at the age of 66 after a seven year battle with cancer. Janice passed peacefully at Pilgrims Hospice in Edmonton, Alberta, on December 4, 2023, with her husband and long-time life partner, Michael Sabourin, by her side.
Janice had a unique capacity to connect meaningfully with those she crossed paths with and was able to make anyone feel welcomed and appreciated in her home. Her generous and playful spirit will be deeply missed by many, especially her husband Michael; their children Aaron Sabourin (Karen), Michelle Rempel (Keith), and Vanessa Sabourin (David); their grandchildren Natalie and Isaac, Cecilia and Dylan, and Wren and Zadie; her
siblings Cheryl-Lynn Carlson, and Terry Bohaichuk (Dianne); and many dear nieces,
nephews, cousins, kindred friends, colleagues, and all those whom she embraced as
extended family members. Janice is now reunited with her sisters Victoria Souster, Mary-Anne Charlish, and Patricia Timmons, as well as her parents Peter Bohaichuk, and Olga Bohaichuk (nee Ulan).
Among many adventures, achievements, and events, Janice shared her life for 52 years (46 years married) with her high school sweetheart, Michael Sabourin, and together they raised three children. She worked for the Edmonton Public Library for 30 years,
contributing greatly to the development of EPLs compassionate priorities, children’s
programming (including the creation of the Jazz and Andy Puppet show), and uplifting the spirits of her colleagues with her playful antics. Janice also pursued other avenues in her life such as photography, birdwatching and drawing. Shortly after becoming a
mother, she took a break from the EPL to study Early Childhood education and ran a
dayhome for 4 years. Janice loved music and generously hosted many rehearsals in her home and joyfully attended the many gigs and concerts of her husband, children, and friends. She had an uncanny ability to start a dance floor, and was also often one of the last people on it.
Janice will be fondly remembered and endlessly missed for her fierce and unwavering
devotion to her family and all those she loved. We will miss her playful and mischievous spirit, her extra-long hugs bursting with love and connection, her ability to make anyone feel welcomed and relaxed, and her commitment to seeking out and offering beauty and love to the world.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the many caregivers, family members, and dear friends who supported Janice and her family during her illness, especially
recognizing Pilgrims Hospice and the incredible end-of-life care and support they
provided. We also greatly appreciate the warm, compassionate and knowledgeable
service from Ruth Urlacher at Simply Cremations, who helped guide us through this most difficult process of finality in our mortal world.
Words can’t begin to say enough about our intimate relationship with Dr. Butts, our
medical oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute, who walked with us throughout most of this harrowing and incredibly anxious journey. His open demeanor and deep human
understanding gave us a strong support to hang on to when our world was turned upside down. He truly added years to extend our life with Janice. Also, we appreciate the
amazing support from the many people at the Cross Cancer Institute, the nurses,
technicians, pharmacists and assistants, as well as the Gamma Knife team at the UofA Hospital. And – we truly loved our relationships with our home caregivers who were so honest and real, many of whom shared some of their life experience to provide a balance in ours.
Cremation has taken place, according to Janice’s wishes, but there will be a memorial event to remember, on February 26, 2024 at 1 pm in Edmonton at the Fringe Theatre Arts Barns. All those whose lives were touched by her generous and vivacious spirit are welcome to attend, anytime between 1-4 pm. A portion of the memorial service will be streamed, between 1:30 – 2:30 pm MST, click here to watch. Should you wish to RSVP, please send an email to: sabourin.celebration@gmail.com.
In leu of gifts or flowers, and to celebrate and amplify Janice’s generosity in the world, please consider making a donation in her name to an organization doing meaningful work in their community. Some suggestions from her family include:
Roozen Family Pilgrims Hospice
Dear Mike and family,
My prayers are with you at this sad time. The online tribute to Janice was so heartfelt; a reminder to all how very special she was. I will keep her and all of you in my thoughts. Cousin Adele and family
I very much enjoyed watching Janice’s celebration on line
An amazing woman
Dear Cousins Mike, Vanessa, Michelle, Aaron and families. What a beautiful tribute to Janice today. I was honoured to bear witness to the expressions of love and joy through your photos, words, music and tears. Keeping you all in my daily prayers and sending hugs over the miles.
Love, Maribeth
Sending you rainbows. Janice was so lovely to work with.
A truly wonderful celebration of life today!
Thank you
What a beautiful tribute today – I felt her presence- she is a shining light, a friend, a bridesmaid at my wedding 35 years ago, and a cherished gift to so many! Janice will be missed! I see the love she left in each of her children and grandchildren, her husband, her family and friends, and I will always cherish the memories we shared! Love to her family!
An amazing celebration of life, for an amazing lady!
She is truly loved and will be
severely missed by all who had the
Pleasure of knowing her.
It was such a beautiful memorial service today. Sorry I couldn’t be there to give you hugs in person. Thank you for streaming it. Janice was one of a kind, and we were all so fortunate to have known her. Love to all of you.
Janice was such a beautifully whimsical and caring person and I know she will be missed by so many of us. Thank you so much for the livestream of the celebration and sharing your memories of Janice with us, sending you all big hugs and my love.
Janice truly was a beautiful and loving soul. She brought joy to all who had the pleasure of meeting her. Thank you for the livestream and for the celebration of her.
Auntie Janice was a beautiful soul. We will never forget her amazing smile and genuine nature. She was so kind and caring. She will be truly missed. Love to Uncle Mike, Vanessa, Michelle, Aaron and your families.
Michael and family;
My sincere sympathy. I pray you will find comfort in cherished memories of Janice. She was so very lovely.
Vanessa, we are so sorry for you and your family’s loss. Although we never knew your mom, we know she was a wonderful lady. Hope you can find some peace and comfort during this sad time. Our thoughts and hearts are with you and your loved ones.
Vanessa, we are so sorry for you and your family’s loss. We never knew your mom but just knowing you, we can imagine she was a wonderful lady. Hope you can find some peace and comfort during this sad time. Our thoughts and hearts are with you and your loved ones.
Mike, Vanessa, Michelle and Aaron, I know it’s been so long since we’ve seen you but I have such fond memories of raising our three girls next door to your lovely family. I was heartbroken to hear of Janice’s passing, she was such a beautiful soul. May you find peace in knowing what a difference she made.
Sabourin family, I’m so very sorry for your immense loss. I think about you all often. I’m unfortunately out of town on Monday but I appreciate the livestream link very much.
xoxoxo
To Mike, your family and the Sabourins,
Just learned, Mike – such a loss for you all. My condolences. I remember Janice’s warmth, liveliness and talent when our families crossed paths. She fit right in with the Sabourins and had more than a little to teach us about how life should be lived. I am sure you will all treasure her memory.
Dearest Sabourin family,
I’m so extremely overwhelmed by sorrow over your loss. Both Janice and your entire family have been such a source of vitality, warmth, and creativity over the years. I hope you take some solace in the fact that you’re surrounded by love and support from the multitudes whose lives she touched.
A life well lived, taken from her family and friends far too soon on life’s journey. Mike, we wish you and your family our deepest condolences on the loss of Janice.
We are so sorry for your loss. From what I hwar, Janice was a blessing here on earth. Lve you Vanessa
Vanessa, I am terribly sorry for you and your family’s loss. I never knew your mom but just knowing you, I can imaging she was a wonderful lady. I hope you can find some peace and comfort during this sad time. My thoughts and heart are with you and your loved ones.
Terry and Dianne, condolences to you and the family. Janice sounded like a very generous and kind person. May you find comfort in your memories of her.
To Mike, Aaron, Vanessa, Michelle and their families, sorry for the passing of Janice. She was a extraordinary individual and she will be soo missed. Her long hugs made everyone feel welcome and loved at her home.
Deepest condolence for your loss. Grateful for the time that we were able to share.
We will remember Janices huge heart, her zest for life and her loyalty as a friend. She was one of a kind.
My heart goes out to her family. May your loving memories help to heal your shattered hearts.
Love and hugs.
I’m so sorry to hear of Janice’s passing. She was a lovely and sparkly person to be around. Love and light to all.
Deepest condolences to the Sabourin family. I worked with Janice at Sprucewood Library and I loved how fun she was and how she was friends with everyone. She also had such a caring heart. I will miss her bright smile
We will always have fond memories of Auntie Janice, who was the most kind and loving person. She will be missed dearly by everyone who knew her.
Awww… this is a sad day. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. May they find comfort in the memories they share. xoxo
Oh my, the mark she made on the hearts of people was great and that in itself is so grand. Janice was so loved as she loved so, she shone light on her footsteps, and graced were we.
Amy and I were so saddened to learn of Janice’s passing. This is a terrible loss. Words cannot express how we feel, and how our condolences, thoughts, and love are with Mike and all of his and Janice’s many family members and friends. It was truly a privilege and a joy to have known Janice for so all these years. They just don’t make a better human being. She will be greatly missed.
Janice had a big heart, warm smile, and a zest for life. Mama bear, dancer, loved music, learning and helping others learn, bike trips, camping adventures with family and friends, welcoming people to her home. She had courage and determination. I feel lucky to have known her for a long time and will miss her spirit in my life.
So sad to say goodbye until next we meet.
Many, many fond memories of music and motorcycles and family gatherings with laughs and kids and songs sung.
Rest well.
Sending a Janice-sized hug to you Mike, and to Vanessa, Michelle, Aaron and families. How lucky you were to have such an amazing and joyous wife/mother/grandmother in your lives – Janice was always so warm, loving, fun-loving, and genuine. Such an easy person to like! She will certainly be missed. From the bottom of our hearts, sending love to each of you. We hope the support of your friends and family will help you through this difficult time.
Janice was one of the most warm people I ever met. I used to joke that the Sabourin family should adopt me. My deepest condolences to Mike, Aron, Vanessa and Michelle.
I read this beautiful tribute to Beautiful Janice through tears. What an incredible woman. Words fail me at the moment, but I am filled with the wonderful memories, and images and sounds of her and those memories. To you cousin Michael, and Vanessa, Michelle, Aaron and families I send my deeply heartfelt condolences. Your loss is enormous, but the love she leaves you with is also enormous. May that sustain you now….xo
I am so sorry to hear of Janice’s passing. We worked together at EPL. I always enjoyed visiting with her at the branches she worked at. She was so cheerful and competent. After I retired from EPL she also encouraged my sculpture career. A lovely person.
I’m so sorry to hear of Janice’s battle and passing. I worked with her when I was an adult page at Woodcroft Library in 1998. She was always friendly to me and treated me as an equal despite my being a newer, younger, and relatively inexperienced co-worker and I will always be grateful for this.
What a glorious tribute for a glorious woman. Janice the beautiful.
I send such love to dearest Michael and their beloved children and grandbabies.
Janis was a friend that time couldn’t steal away the bonds made when we were all so much
Younger. She made her mark in my heart forever like so many. Rest in Peace sweet Angel.
The Grove family – your neighbours – are so, so sad to hear about this. If anything is needed please let us know! Hugs to all of you!
Our deepest condolences to Mike. Vanessa, Michelle, Aaron, and your families. Janice was a shining light, she touched the hearts of so many. We will miss her dearly.
I worked at EPL with Janice, although we were at different branches. I always enjoyed any time I spent with her. We reconnected on FB a few years ago; I always liked her posts about family. How much she loved each of you… jI am so sorry she has left us. Sending my deepest sympathy to all in her family.
She truly was a beautiful soul and was such a fun person to be around. Sending hugs to Mike and family. What a tough seven years you all have been through.
So sorry to her of Janice passing
We were neighbors over 35 years ago and she helped me with child care for my daughter linnzi at the time. She always had such a big friendly smile and made the world feel like a better place !
My condolences to Mike and the kids and all the family
Sorry we cannot attend her celebration of life in Feb. as we are out of the country
How lovely a tribute.
We’re still so sad that Janice is no longer with us. But at the same time, we’re so very happy that we knew her, & were able to count her as one of our dearest friends for so many years. She was such a beautiful soul—people just don’t come any better than that. Our deepest condolences go out to Vanessa, Michel, Aaron & their families, and to our dear friend & band-mate Mike.
It’s sad to hear of the loss of such a sweet person within one of the sweetest families I have known. Janice was always funny and wonderful to run into at the library and brought smiles to my children’s faces. My time getting to know her through working with Vanessa will be remembered. Always supportive of the arts and the art her children were a part of. Sleep peaceful, Janice.
We are so very sorry for your loss Mike, Aaron, Michelle, Vanessa and families. Janice was such a warm, caring person, so full of life and fun. We share so many happy memories in Children’s Theatre, in the singing group Laurel and Janice were a part of and the fun social get togethers. Janice and Mike’s love of music and joy for life always enriched these wonderful times. We are sorry to miss the celebration on the 26th as we are in Phoenix but will watch online. Much love and condolences to the lovely Sabourin family,
Laurel and Jim McKillop and family
Im so sorry for your loss, it was a gift to know Janice, the way she radiated joy and empathy was really unique. What an amazing woman im so sorry for your loss.
I’ve never read a more beautiful eulogy. Rest in Peace Janice. I’ll never forget your smile and the great talks in your kitchen and shared moments on the dance floor. Peace be with your family and God bless.
I remember so fondly the one Christmas we spent with the Sabourin gang, in Janice & Michael’s home – which was as welcoming as they were. Music, food, SO much fun, and good-spirited raucousness. Profoundly sorry for your loss; she was a truly remarkable soul, and I have no doubt that her gifts will live on in countless ways. All the peace…
Knowing Janice and being embraced by her truly changed my life. God gifted her with such an expansive heart and soul that wanted to see the beauty in all of creation – including every person in her life. Her verve was compelling; her compassion for creatures great and small was admirable; and her humor and laughter so endearing. I miss her. I love her – and I’m so glad I told her so.
I think of her family often and pray for all of you that you find comfort in the God who is near the brokenhearted. May the peace of Christ be with you all.
My sister, I miss you so so much. Words cannot explain the heartache that I feel. There are so many memories, I am grateful for each and every one, give everyone a hug for me love your little baby sister Cheryl.