Janet Ellen Smith Dunham, the best mom we ever wished for, was blessed by a reunion with her own loving mom, dad, and sister on October 3, 2018. What a sweet celebration that must have been.

Born on December 13, 1934, in Rhinelander WI, Janet lived the gift of days loving her family, encouraging her friends, and caring for all of God's creatures as if their comfort depended on her alone. She spent her childhood years adventuring in Rhinelander, running amok in nature with her brothers Jack and Larry, sister, Judie, and favorite boy-cousins, Donnie, Dick, and Tom Williams. She loved to share stories of their shenanigans boating on Moen Lake, walking barefoot in the rain, and staying out way past dark without a worry in the world.

After graduating from St. Mary's Catholic School in 1952, she moved with her parents and sister to San Diego.  There she met and married Glenn Dunham in 1955; between 1956 and 1965 they had four children. She happily left behind her job as a telephone operator with Pacific Bell to stay at home with their children, reading to them, teaching them to savor and thrive in nature, helping with homework and volunteering in classrooms, and instilling a sense of confidence and independence. She was a model parent; we are blessed to have had her show us the way. (Janet and Glenn went their separate ways in 1985, but they maintained a strong tie and Janet welcomed his new wife to her extended family with open arms.)

Janet met Jay Heikkila and they formed a bond over hiking and canoeing in the Bitterroot Valley, dancing, a love of Montana's natural splendor, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.  Jay adored her, doted on her, and comforted her to the end, putting her needs first and expressing his love with action and words.

Friendship was also key to Janet's happiness. She savored the attachments she was part of the longest. Shortly before her passing she visited with childhood friend, Winnie Orr, and always made sure to check in with coworker-turned-kindred- spirit, Mildred Unruh. Janet had a beautiful singing voice and as a teenager, she and Winnie used to go down to the radio station in Rhinelander where they'd sing songs of the day on air.

Janet was an eager student of life. She was a voracious reader from early childhood through her most recent days, enjoying a variety of genres, especially historical fiction. All her years of reading made her into a fearlessly competitive Jeopardy player. Her visits to Ireland and tropical destinations sparked an interest in traveling and further experiencing world arts and cultures. She was an adept and jubilant cyber-tourist; the walls of her serene Montana home, where music always played, provided a comfortable backdrop to her journeys. She crocheted for many years and loved to create things for her family, especially her grandkids. She was interested in genealogy and spent immeasurable hours researching in libraries and online, later sharing and comparing her discoveries with others.

Janet always had pets – she truly could not have fully lived any other way. She loved and cared for her animals with great compassion and concern, taking time to walk with them in the wilderness that nurtured her soul and to mourn each one's passing before rescuing another. She supported numerous non-profit animal welfare organizations. St. Francis is lucky to have her.

We know that Mom's quiet, cerebral, compassionate spirit is joyful in Heaven, loving and laughing with long-separated family and friends. We know her soul soars and that she is true to her promise to keep watch over us. We are thankful for the time we had with her, for her consistent, comforting and loving presence in our lives, and for the legacy of love she leaves. We know she is safe and nurtured in God's hands, but we will miss her tremendously.

Janet is survived by her longtime partner, Jay Heikkila of Hamilton MT; her brothers, Jack Smith of Rhinelander WI and Larry Smith of Sheboygan WI; her children Scott (Kate) of Pittsboro NC, Kevin (Lonette) of Grass Valley CA, Shellie (Keith Jarvis) of Denver CO, and Kimberlie (Gus Bergsma) of Escondido CA; grandchildren Matt Dunham of Madison WI, Michael (Kelly) Dunham of Grass Valley CA, Stephanie Dunham of Chico CA, Carlie Jarvis of Boulder CO, Adam (Alyssa) Jarvis of Centennial CO, Kelly (Taylor) Mason of Carlsbad CA, Sandra, Sabrina, Bret and Josie Bergsma of Escondido CA; and great-grandchildren Peter Molino and Morgan Dunham of Grass Valley CA, Lia, Harper, and Sloan Mason of Carlsbad CA, and Olivia Ott and Cade Jarvis of Centennial CO. Janet also leaves behind many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews. Janet was welcomed to eternity by her parents, Phyllis and Carl Smith of Rhinelander WI, and her sister, Judie Cagle of Aurora CO.

A spirited family gathering is being planned, which Janet requested in lieu of a funeral. In Janet's memory, a donation to any animal rescue or sanctuary organization is welcome.