JANICE ANNE STEVENS RAINS

JANICE ANNE STEVENS-POMPA-RAINS
1939 - 2023
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On a cold winters day on November 10th in 1939 a baby girl was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada. The snow banks were so high it was impossible to see around corners. She was the first of six children born to Albert and Florence Stevens in nine years so we became very close. Living in a border town with Calais, Maine we learned a great deal about the USA.
Janice took an early interest in animals, nature and water. She took a keen interest in her family and siblings with a very high regard for fairness and respect. One summer day the neighbourhood bully was up to his usual runs when Janice on the spot appeared. The problem was soon taken care of with a bloody nose for him. My sister took part in Brownies, Girl Guides, Teen camping, and family outings and was a member of the junior and senior choir of our Church.
Janice hated the cold weather, the heavy bulky clothes and one day Mom gave orders for her to put socks on. She did as she was told, put on the socks, stopped at the end of the street, took off her socks, continued to school, and when she arrived back at the same corner, she put on her socks and arrived home. Her reasoning? "Socks weren't cool."
When the summer turned to fall it was the season to take cod liver oil. As she had to take it her only retaliation was changing our Mother's name to "Doctor pill pusher."
Janice wanted to travel and see what the world had to offer and to see and meet people so her journey began early. In her late teens she entered the U.S. and eventually lived in North Carolina where she met and married Henry Pompa. They were given four beautiful children,
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named Tony; Lisa; Judy and Ricky. They moved to California so she was on the west coast where she lived until her death.
While raising her family and I raising mine, we would go months without contact. But when that phone rang and we were connected it was as if we had been talking only the day before. The miles kept us apart but our hearts kept us close.
The family did come home to meet their Canadian family and I did travel to beautiful California and met their families and friends.
Janice loved the animals here as well. She would venture out on the desert with water and food for the road runners and other animals. Shortly before her death a road runner appeared on the corner of her deck for 4-5 minutes looking for Janice. She drove to a local mall to feed the starving cats. After enquiring I learned there is another lady who has stepped up and is now feeding them.
Janice was pre deceased by her first and second husband, Fred Rains. She was born with a strong and compassionate spirit. And her insight, love and caring mingled with laughter continued until her death.
Janice is in my heart. I know she is waiting for me to join her someday.
And one last thought: When people learned where Janice was born and raised...the most frequent question asked - I will give you the answer. No, she did not live in an igloo.

Her loving sister Anita

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