JANET B. LAIRD

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JANET B. LAIRD Janet B. Laird passed peacefully early Monday, November 13, 2017, in Tucson, Arizona, with members of family nearby. Born on December 25, 1930, she was the oldest and only daughter of Albert Dobbins and Gladys Merle Butler. Born in Pettus, Texas, Janet spent most of her youth in Tucson, where she graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Music Education, majoring in piano performance. Playing the organ in the morning service at First Southern Baptist Church led to meeting her future husband, Eugene Aaron Laird, who attended there. Married there on December 20, 1952, they started their life and partnership together. This partnership continued for 58 years, until his passing on August 8, 2011. As a talented pianist, her love of music was demonstrated in her work as a music specialist in the public education system. When her husband chose a life of pastoral ministry, she, also, joyfully assumed the role of pastor's wife supporting her Lord's work through developing church music programs in Arizona, California and Texas before relocating to Canada in 1972. There she continued to teach music in schools, direct church choirs and accompany worship in Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario. Fond remembrances include her work as teacher and music consultant with Winnipeg's Seven Oaks School Division, as well as her direction in multiple church youth choirs. This legacy has continued in Janet's children and grandchildren through their commitment to learning, collective appreciation of music and, for some, the choice of a career in music and/or education. Following retirement, Janet returned to the United States with her husband settling in the area of Sierra Vista, Arizona. She is missed by her son Aaron and his wife Jan and their children, Kristyn, Jordan and Chelsea; her daughter Cynthia, her husband George and their children, Jonathan (wife Amanda and daughter Abigail), Katryna, Spencer and Bradley; her son Anthony and his wife Dara and their children, Wesley, Kaleb and Micah. A graveside service for Janet will be held Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at the Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1300 S. Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista, AZ at 10:00 a.m. The family members will be gathering for a Life Celebration in her honour at a later date. In recognition of her love of music and education, donations in Janet's name are invited to be made to the Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba (www.artslivehere.ca for details).

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 21, 2017