After a relatively short stay at Kootenay Street Village, Janice died with her family by her side. We weren’t ready to let her go but as always, Janice lived life on her own terms!

Janice struggled with mobility as of late, the repercussions of various injuries throughout her life. It was a frustrating development for such an independent soul who never wanted to “bother” anyone.

Janice was born in Vancouver but lived most of her childhood in Clinton and the Kamloops area. She was a Girl Guide and very active in sports of all description. Skiing, hiking and biking were her real passions. She hiked all over the Wells Gray Park area and would think nothing of going on a 50–60-mile bike ride in an afternoon, she was truly remarkable!

Janice was also passionate about music – playing, listening and dancing. She introduced her younger siblings to various genres and styles of music with a broad knowledge of various band members and meanings behind song lyrics. She danced many nights away at every chance she could.

Fate stepped in while Janice was skiing at Tod Mountain (Sun Peaks), when a charismatic sweet-talking Kiwi, named Nick convinced her that the slopes were better in New Zealand and off Janice went on a 15-year adventure.

Janice returned to Canada with her daughter Alana Ridings and began a new adventure/life in Cranbrook and quickly became a part of family life here. Janice also fostered a relationship with her estranged mother and stepfather (Kaye and Don Hanson) once they moved here and life fell into a comfortable routine surrounded by family and friends. Janice came to love the Kootenays, the friends, and the caring mental health support teams members who helped her along the way.

Janice loved the simple things in life, a cup of coffee, a beer, a cig, a joint, and a visit. Nothing else mattered if she could have a combination of all or some of these. Janice did not love rules and tried everything to avoid living by them. She often took the more difficult road which led to many bumps along the way. This didn’t always work out in her favour but because of her wit and her smile, she often got what she was looking for.

Janice will be remembered for her undying love for her daughter Alana, her beautiful and quick smile and her dedication to family and friends.

Janice was predeceased by her father David Bruce, her stepmother Audrey Bruce, her mom, Kaye Hanson, her stepfather, Donald Hanson, and many uncles, aunts and cousins.

She will be missed by her daughter, Alana Ridings, her sister Shelley Balfour (John), brother Doug Bruce (Kelly), her Aunt Sharon Mills and Uncle Don Dieno, her nieces Mallory and Emily Balfour, Destiny and Skyela Bruce, Tayah Moulton, nephews Tanner and Talen Moulton and her great nephews Rory and Declan Reid, Myles and Tate Moulton and her great nieces, Aleia and Everleigh Montoya and Malia Moulton. Janice will also be remembered by our step siblings Donnie, Janice and Brian Hanson and Sherry, Sheila and Rob Taylor. A long-time friend, Bill Birchall will also miss her dearly.

Thank you to ALL the staff on the 3rd floor at EKRH for their excellent care of Janice during her extended stay there while waiting for a room in a long-term care facility. Her short stay at Kootenay Street Village showed us that there are many kind and caring people looking after our long-term care patients and their families. Thank you all for taking such good care of Janice and all her family members!

A Funeral Service for Janice will take place on Friday July 10, 2026 at 2:30pm at McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook, British Columbia. Interment will take place at Ft. Steele Cemetery. The Service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person at the following link: https://www.hdezwebcast.com/show/janice-ridings-service

mcphersonfh.com