Tribute to my Sister Jan!

Today my sister left this earth to go to heaven to be with her Savior Jesus Christ and to be re-united with her husband, infant daughter and parents who had died before her.  Though her death was not a surprise, as she has dealt with health problems her whole life, the way she died was heart-breaking.  Due to Covid, she was all alone as the ventilator was removed and she breathed her last breath.  Her son had been able to visit for a brief time, but not allowed to be by her side.  We were not able to be there to say goodbye as she breathed her last breath.

But this document is not to dwell on the sadness of her death but to celebrate the greatness of her life.  Jan was one of the most joy-filled Godly women that I have ever met.  Despite her many physical difficulties and challenges she faced, she never complained and always had a smile on her face.  Though she lived most of her life on disability and never had an abundance of money, she was always willing to give anything she had to help someone else. 

Jan was my older sister by 10 years, and I was always her little brother.  That meant when I was young, I was her little doll to dress up and take care of.  When I was in college, she would offer me a place to stay When I was an adult, she was always looking out for me and making sure I was ok.  Even in the last few months together, when we would be together, she would ask me, “Do you need any money?  Are you doing ok?  Even though she had little herself.

Jan was a talented entertainer.  She was a ventriloquist and storyteller and could entertain the children with her stories.  Her puppet was George, and he was the most popular member of the family.  Jan was a nurse and always was a caregiver to others that she interacted with.

Jan had a life filled with medical difficulties, even though you would never hear her complain or let them slow her down.  She came down with Diabetes Type 1 as a 13-year-old, but she never let her dependence on insulin get in her way.  She worked at camps, graduated from nursing school, and met her husband Marv.  They got pregnant but lost their baby girl at birth.  They adopted their son Josh after that.  Jan’s health was impacted by her diabetes and she had many health-related problems over the years.  She lost most of her sight, dealt with cancer and heart issues.  But nothing would hold her back.

Jan was a servant at heart.  She loved Jesus and let her life show His love through her.  She was always involved at church and would help wherever she was needed.  Because of her skills at teaching, she would always be involved in working with kids.  No matter who you were, she could always make you feel like you were the most important person in the world to her.  She could make you laugh but could also cry with you if you needed that.

Jan’s husband, Marv, died suddenly six months ago of a heart attack.  Over the past six months I have had more time to talk with her and this time has been such a blessing.  In her marriage she had to deal with some hard things and her living conditions were far from ideal, but she never complained.  She was thankful for the care and support she received.  It was special to be able to see her have fun shopping and eating at her favorite restaurants and even being able to treat her little brother to a meal.

Her life was cut short due to Covid, but she made the most of the time she had.  She was a blessing to many, and an inspiration to others.  Though she is gone now, she will always be my “Big Sister”!  Miss you already!