It is with great sadness the family of Janet Margaret McRobb (nee Murchison) announce her passing on October 31, 2024. Janet was born on February 14, 1937 in Toronto to Donald Murchison and Yvette Desjardins. A year later, her sister June Kozlow was born, followed eight years later by her brother Don Murchison.

Janet had four children, Sharon Overend, Judy Grinton, David Sargent and Kellie O’Leary; sons and daughter-in-law, Paul Overend, Gary Grinton, Bonnie Sargent, and Barry O’Leary; 8 grandchildren, Richard, Nicole, Ashley, Michael, Erin, Ryan, Michael, and Caitlin; and 4 great-grandchildren, Leah, Elizabeth, Henry and Jacob. In later years, she opened her heart and enveloped Kim, Brad and Atlas into the fold.
The love of her life, husband Don McRobb, predeceased her in September 2000.

Quirky, eccentric, cheap, sarcastic, were all words used to describe Janet. It was never lost on anyone, that Janet, the least romantic person ever to walk this earth, came into the world on Valentines Day. Peacefully, and with family by her side, she passed on Halloween, 2024, which was also a convenient happenstance since she loved sweets almost as much as dogs. Never one to sit idle, Janet kept busy pursuing a host of her favourite activities, including cutting the grass with scissors, pulling weeds while sitting on the ground, visiting the casino, falling asleep to Forensic Files, and until recently, playing spider solitaire while watching Judge Judy. Unfortunately, and unbeknownst to Judge Judy, the pair had a falling out causing Janet to make her daughters swear if the TV judge died, under no circumstances were they to send flowers.

Janet took fashion cues from no one. Her signature look was all her own; a pair of bleach-stained leggings with pronounced knee impressions, a plaid shirt over a t-shirt, woolly socks, and either a pair of crocs, or open-backed running shoes. Winter saw Janet incorporate an oversized pink blanket sweater, affectionately referred to as Pinkie, to her look.

Never known for her driving skills, Janet sadly lost her shopping cart privileges after an unfortunate incident involving a ginormous Walmart display. Less said. Her favourite place on earth was her beloved cottage on Rush Lake where she and Donnie hosted many fun filled weekends that always included Friday night euchre, and where she eventually retired.

Aside from her zany personality, Janet will be remembered for her strength of character and her unwavering courage. Case in point was the time she fell while walking CeeCee, her cocker spaniel, along the snowy cottage road. After a two-hour bum scooch to find help—later determined she’d passed out three times—it was discovered she’d broken her hip. Committed to getting back to CeeCee and their walks, Janet showed true grit and was up walking unassisted weeks before anyone expected.

Funeral arrangements have been made for Friday December 13, (she’d appreciate a Friday the 13th send-off), 2024 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 1066 Western Ave, Peterborough ON K9J 5W6, at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow in the adjacent parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to The Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes. Janet’s love of animals was legendary and she often reflected how her life might have been easier had she opted for four dogs rather than four kids.

Finally, the family asks that in honor of Janet’s final wishes, no one send flowers whenever Judge Judy passes.