REID, Janet 'Jan' Kathryn (nee Heard)

Janet Kathryn Reid (nee Heard) of Guelph and formerly of Chesley passed away peacefully on January 14th, ten days before her 72nd birthday after a long struggle with early onset Alzheimer's disease. Jan will be missed by her husband of 48 years, Keith, four children: Heather, Jamie (Leslee Jordan), Kristin (Paul Soppit) and Leslie (Nic Weber), and three grandchildren (Isabelle, Russell and Calliope). Also survived by her siblings: Christopher Heard, Victoria Leslie (Jim), Phil Heard (Rosalie) and Patricia Heard, and her in-laws Ian (Cecile), Janet Grand, Dave (Aleta) and Bob (Barb). Predeceased by her parents Peter and Grace Heard, and brother-in-law Ron Reid.

Jan taught elementary school for her entire career, in every grade from junior kindergarten to grade 8, although her favourites were always the middle grades. Jan was an advocate for outdoor and experiential education. Students in her classes will always remember the Monarch butterfly life cycle, especially after they raised them in the classroom and released the adults to migrate. She loved being a mom, making sure the kids got their opportunities for swimming and skating lessons, music lessons and Brownies or Scouts. She even volunteered as a Brown Owl to ensure the girls got to experience many outdoor adventures. She was happiest working in her garden or out in nature, especially when she had a camera with her. After retiring, she made many new friends in Guelph and kept active socially even as the Alzheimer's began to steal her capabilities. The last five years of her life were spent at Hilltop Manor in Cambridge, and we thank the staff there for the excellent care that she received.

Visitation will be held at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Hart Chapel, 1099 Gordon Street, Guelph N1G 4X9 on Monday January 20th, 2025, from 2:00-4:00PM. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society Research Program (https://alzheimer.ca/en/research/alzheimer-society-research-program), the Bluewater Education Foundation (https://www.bef-oec.org/donate), the Grand River Conservation Foundation (https://www.grandriver.ca/who-we-are/grcf/priority-projects/outdoor-education-for-kids/), or the charity of your choice.