Janet Morton Derby Baird
November 9, 1935 – October 29, 2018
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our darling Mom, Janet. She was born in Regina to Alec and Margaret Derby, on the Saskatchewan prairie beleaguered by the depression. She was one of four daughters (Katherine, Janet, Sandra and Joanne), who grew up in tough times that made them appreciate both thrift and generosity.
Janet attended grade school in Regina, Teachers’ College in Moose Jaw and completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Saskatchewan graduating in 1957. When she moved to Winnipeg, she completed the requirements for a B.A. in History and Economics at United College. Janet was passionate about music and politics.
Janet married Dr. Alastair Baird in 1959 and they had 5 children (Shauna, Robin, Islay, Colin and Neil). Janet ran an active, shambolic household where the door was always open, an extra place could readily be set and the debate was guaranteed to be lively.
When the children became more independent, Janet began involvement in bettering her community. She served on the Victoria Police Board, was Chair of Camosun College Board and founding Chair of the Camosun Foundation and was an Alderman on Victoria City Council (1981-1990). She was early to embrace new technology and became a founding Member of Victoria FreeNet Association and Chair of VIATeC. Always passionate about the democratic process, Janet became Returning Officer for the federal riding of Victoria and Deputy District Electoral Officer for the provincial riding of Oak Bay/Gordon Head. She was made an honorary citizen of the City of Victoria and was the recipient of the Royal Roads University Community Service Award in 2002.
Janet loved entertaining and made a point of celebrating all occasions. She faced her last months with brave resolve and cheerful practicality. She enjoyed something of a living wake as people lined up to say their goodbyes. True to her character, Janet chose her date of departure and left on her own terms. Among those celebrating a life well lived will be her 5 children, their spouses (Michael, Iain, Leslie) and 8 beloved grandchildren (Michaela, Callum, Jillian, Natalie, Rachel, Hannah, Alastair and Jane), as well as countless relatives, friends and colleagues. If you wish to celebrate Janet, serve yourself a Dubonnet and red wine on the rocks, go for a swim in the sea, laugh heartily, sing loudly and think of her every time you vote.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Victoria Golf Club on Saturday, November 17, 2018 from 1:00 -4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Dr. Alastair and Janet Baird Award, c/o Camosun College Foundation, 4461 Interurban Road, Victoria, BC, V9E 2C1 (email: camosun.ca/foundation) would be gratefully appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Daphne Goode
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Pat and Rita Giroday Robin, Islay, Leslie, Iain and Callum
Our condolences on the passing of your mother/grandmother.
We hope your grief passes soon, to be replaced by happy memories of an obviously very special woman.With caring thoughts.
Pat and Rita
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Joan Peggs Thinking of all of you.
You will have great family memories of gatherings, events, special occasions.
I will not be in town on Saturday November 17th; cannot attend the Celebration of Life at the Victoria Golf Course. I will be thinking of all of you.
I have made a donation to the Oak Bay Rotary Scholarship in memory of Janet. Seed money for this scholarship was donated by my Dad. The scholarship is for students at Oak Bay High School.
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Jill and Chris Graham Shauna and Michael,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time. We are aware of how INCREDIBLE a woman she was and the positive impact she had on all your lives.
Wishing many fond memories come forth as you move through the grieving.
Jill and Chris Graham
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Catherine Cadger To Shauna, Robin, Islay, Colin and Neil, I was shocked to read about your mother’s passing and send my deepest condolences. I had known your mother for a very long time. I attended her wedding to Alastair in Regina where my husband, Douglas, was the best man – as Alastair was for our wedding in Calgary. Thinking of you all. Catherine Cadger
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Debbie Smollett How blessed was I to know this fabulous human – I’m the better person for it.
I’ll always remember with happiness and thankfulness the time I spent with her on Island Road…the chaotic kitchen, the massive lawn, training Neil’s dog (and neutering!) with her full blessing, silver polishing parties, fabulous dinner parties, always with a wonderful variety of friends and family in attendance, and her amazing laugh. There is no doubt the world (and this city) is a better place for her having been in it.
While there will be no more evenings of good natters with cheap red and Dubonnet on ice, the memories of those that I had over the years, will always bring a smile to my face and remembrance of her.
My condolences to her wonderful family, our thoughts are with you.
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Kathie Johnson To the Baird Family:
I was saddened to read the passing of Janet. She was a grand Lady who was always willing to have one of the Burn Units meetings, Christmas parties, or summer BBqs. Janet was as much a team member to the Burn Unit as was Alister.
She will be missed. My thoughts with you all.Kathie Johnson
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R Allan & Sheila Graham To the Baird Family,
We have wonderful memories of both your mom and dad and are saddened for the recent loss of your dear mom. She was a very giving and gracious lady who was dedicated to her family, friends and community. Both your mom and dad were always ready to lend a helping hand and so willing to support many community endeavors by sharing their time, wisdom, care and energy. We remember so many fun times together with school functions, play dates, sports, get togethers and musicals. We know how much you all loved your mom (and grandma) and how very proud she was of all of you. Her legacy will continue to live in all of you. Sending caring thoughts to all of you. Love Sheila and Allan Graham and Family, formerly of Hewlett Place.
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Rob and Shirley Hunter Janet was a Force!. She became part of my life when she was a city counsellor and I was a member of the Downtown Advisory Committee. She had a sturdy common sense that defied all the political nonsense. Between the School Board and the City of Victoria she did so much to shape and define policies that continue to serve us. She had a great laugh, the most wicked sense of humour and invited us to some of the most interesting dinner parties it has ever been our privilege to attend.
Rob enjoyed her as a client so much, she was always so clear sighted and always made him laugh.
You are going to miss her so much. I know she stayed as long as she could . all the best to all of her family who she loved so well
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Ross Hawthorne Shauna, Robin, Isla, Colin and Neil,
I was so sad to hear of your mothers passing, I feel a great loss. She was such a fantastic person.Looking back at my childhood in Oak Bay, your mother is interwoven throughout it. From letting us sleep on Robins deck under the stars, to baking birthday cakes with money in them (I am still in awe of how she was able to bake the cake just right to ensure Colin and Neil got the largest valued coins).
I remember your mother driving us places in lucy (6 am hockey practice at the Memorial arena), or walking benny the beagle. Your mother was an amazing person, and proved it every day keeping the 5 of you out of trouble.
I hope you are all able to find comfort in this time of sadness, remembering all the good times that you all had. Like the family road trip to Winnipeg in a very large station wagon (with Colin and Neil facing backwards).
I will try to attend the service on Sunday Nov 17. I am sorry though that it must be under such sad terms that we will re-unite.
Take care and love to you all.
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Nola & Andrew Jackson Our condolences to Janet’s family.
It was an honour and a privilege to know Janet, a very special woman.
With sincere sympathy
Nola & Andrew Jackson
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Nola Jackson Our sincere Condolences to Janet’s family. It was an honour and a privilege to know Janet.
Sincerely Nola & Andrew Jackson
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Brett R. Vining, Nanaimo, BC Robin,
With sadness I read in the “Times Colonist” about the loss of your mother. I too lost my mother in the last couple of years, and know how one feels to lose one so special to you.
I was only able to notice the obituary because, as you know, unlike your mother who,
“. . . was early to embrace new technology and became a founding Member of Victoria Free Net
Association . . .”,I am not burdened by looking at endless emails and devote that time to reading the paper first thing in the morning!
It appears that she was not only a great mother and grandparent, but an extremely productive citizen. You and your family should be, and I note are, very proud.
My sincere condolences to you and all of the members of your family,
Brett Vining
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Kelly Galitzine I am thinking of you Islay and your family at this difficult time. I remember visiting your happy, friendly Island road home when we were Oak Bay Secondary friends and field hockey teammates. Take good care,
Kelly Galitzine (Davies)
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Susanna Crofton On behalf of us all, we wish to offer our sincere condolences over the passing of Janet. A life well lived and such a lovely lady. My father Patrick spoke so highly of her on many occasions.Sincerely, the Crofton Family.
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Charlotte Lane Shauna, Robin, Islay, Neil and Colin, thinking about you all at this sad time. Your mother was a remarkable , lovely lady. I have such fond memories of you all even though I did not know Robin as well as the others.
Remember all the happy moments.
Charlotte Lane
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Susan Wetmore and Pierre Clement Our condolences to the family and our thoughts are with you.
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Penelope Bahr Will definitely be down in Victoria to pay tribute to Janet. I will miss her and will laugh heartily, sing loudly and definitely vote! I will not however spoil my wine with Dubonnet that would in Janet’s own words and intonation: “Drive me nuts!” Thoughts and love to the family.
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ALASTAIR WATERS Hello, My deepest condolences on the passing of Mrs Baird. Having just lost my Mother I know how hard it is to lose a Loving Parent and Friend.
To Janet’s family. I was so sorry to hear of Janet’s passing. You have my condolences. She was a remarkably energetic and talented person, and I had the pleasure of working with her during her years at Victoria City Council and beyond, well into her “retirement” when she was still very active in the political process, and at the Returning Office. What I most remember was how authentic a human being she was in her political role, she was a true inspiration. She was also blessed with a wonderful sense of humour and I will always remember her laugh. She was immensely proud of her family – I was often given updates on every member, and especially, on her grandchildren’s progress in life. We have lost a very bright spark, and she will be remembered with great fondness. I am sure very happy memories will sustain you all!