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Janet Faye Reid

September 5th, 1959 - April 2nd, 2025

With devastating sadness and the most profound adoration we announce the passing of the One and Only Janet Reid. Irreplaceable in every aspect of the word, she was friends with hundreds, confidant to dozens, and admired by everyone who had the chance to grace her presence. Humble to a fault, she helped others freely and regularly with an honesty and earnestness that could heal the deepest of wounds. These valuable traits were never more on display than in the final years of her career working as an administrative assistant at Tatamagouche Regional Academy. Her official title may not have been guidance counselor, but from her desk at the school entrance she was able to help countless children and teenagers navigate their hectic worlds with humor and understanding. Ask any one of them. They'll tell you. A former student at the school - her oldest grandson - described her best: "She was as if a Ray of Sunshine was a person."

Janet unknowingly fought a valiant battle with cancer for the last year or so of her life, only being diagnosed recently, but suffering far longer than anyone really knew. Her fight ended awash in love in the arms of her devoted husband and two heartbroken boys. And what a fight it was. Despite her painful adversity she still managed to go to work with a smile, love fully with all of her heart, and put others first consistently. She was selfless and noble in this regard. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you take note of Janet's outlook, determination and compassion and try to implement a fraction of it into your life. Please do. The world would be better for it.

No one reaped the benefits of her spirit more than her FAMILY, especially her grandchildren. Being the oldest sister of four brothers helped develop her unbeatable patience. Being the wife of Jack Reid helped hone that patience into top form. Being the mother of Jay Reid allowed her to fully utilize that patience. Being showered in the unconditional love of her youngest son Johnathan Reid was her reward for all of that patience and understanding.

The community of River John also benefitted from Janet. In her years on the Mountain Road she helped raise or babysit 75% of the child population. And she did it with the same love and compassion she reserved for her own children. If you were left in Janet's hands you were safe, loved, and fed substantial amounts of candy. Children gravitated to her, and her to them. Ask any one of them, they'll tell you. All of this training built the best Nana the world had ever seen. If you knew Janet, then you knew her grandkids. She made sure you did. With pictures, words, stories, and feelings.  If you REALLY knew Janet, then you knew her as Nana. Or Nana Reid. She was born to be a grandmother. It was her calling. That's not to take away from her achievements as a loving mother and wife, but to see her with her grandkids was to see a love so pure and powerful that it would melt your heart. Emmy, Belle, Larkin, Crewe, and especially her Little Jack, were blessed beyond measure to have her as their own. The memory might slowly fade for the littlest ones, but Jack was lucky enough to absorb the full Nana experience. And she was blessed to be able to provide it. In truth, he was more of a third son to Nana than a grandson. The love and lessons he received in her time on Earth will trickle down through him to his brothers and cousins as life moves on.

Do not let her identity as Nana for one minute suggest that she was old. She was never old. Had she lived to be 95, she never would have gotten "old". Her free spirit and zest for life kept Father Time at bay. Actually, Father Time gave up on Nana. He knew he couldn't win that fight. Her perpetual youth allowed her to hop on the back of a Honda 750 and disappear into an adventure at the drop of a hat, even in her later years. Especially in her later years. Her sister-in-law said it best - "Janet, I would only dream of adventures, you just do them." It helped to have a perpetually youthful husband to be a partner in these adventures. Because of this unified sense of adventure, they will forever be known as "Jack and Jan", a shining example of how to cultivate a vibrant relationship through decades of ups and downs.

Living life to the fullest every day is a nearly impossible task. No one could truthfully adhere to this philosophy, but if you knew Janet, you knew the person who came closest to achieving that goal. In order to maintain this exuberance, she needed things in her life that recharged her batteries. Filled up her cup. Work and family are the obvious examples.

She drew strength from her own parents, even after they passed away. Her love and devotion to her mother especially was something to be admired. Her brother Larry played an instrumental role in her happiness and when he passed, Mike grabbed that torch and ran (we'll say walked because Mike don't run) with it. Over the years she saw best friends come and go. All of them significant to her well-being in different ways. She was a hockey mom and hockey Nana and fostered enduring relationships through those times. She made lifelong friends wherever she ended up working. She made friends on the road and at home. In the final years, her relationship with her friend Minnie stood out. Despite a significant age gap (sorry Minnie), the bond they created needs to be acknowledged and celebrated.

She drew strength from places as well as people. She loved her home on the Mountain Road. She cultivated her property to perfection and grew the most beautiful everything - flowers, trees, gardens, smiles. She had too many knick knacks, but placed them perfectly throughout the house, infusing her home with memories and meaning that will echo long after she's gone. But her one true place of peace, serenity, and revival was The Cape. She could be found down there on summer days and evenings, often in her little trailer, enjoying slow walks, sunsets, and company. If you ever feel yourself missing her, take a drive down to the end of Cape John, park, and just enjoy the view. She loved it and she needed it.

Lastly, and most importantly to Janet, she drew strength from Christ. Her relationship with the Lord evolved over countless years of prayer and faith. Her faith strengthened during covid when she and Jack found the Sunrise Baptist Church. Their welcoming spirit during a time of exclusion and division revived her faith in humanity and in Christianity. This strength in God would serve her well in her fight with cancer. It gave her the durability to smile at nurses, kiss her husband, and hold her boys. Jack, Jay, and Johnny, are forever grateful for the last four days of her enduring love. It was something to behold.

Visitation will be held at the Sunrise Baptist Church in Tatamagouche on Friday. April 11th from 2-4pm and 6-8pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Tatamagouche Regional Academy, Saturday April 12th at 2pm with Pastor John Donkin officiating.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Coulter's Funeral Home in Tatamagouche.