DHS Hall of Fame

Graduating Class:	1968/DHS
Date of Birth:	1951
Date of Death:	January 30, 2007
Biography:	56, passed away in Saint Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, B.C. Janis was born in Windsor, Ont., was raised in Montreal, and spent most of her adult years in Halifax and Vancouver. Janis is survived by her daughter, Omayga McKiggan, New Westminster, B.C.; brother, Bill McKiggan (Colette Poirier); niece and nephew, Rosa and Julien, Dartmouth. She was predeceased by her parents, Marie and Robert McKiggan in 2005. In her early years, Janis enjoyed skiing, roller skating and dances at the Fantasia in Highgate Springs, Vt., where the family spent their summers. As a young woman, she was attracted to a hippie lifestyle and left home to sell flowers in downtown Montreal before heading out west. Throughout most of her adult life, Janis struggled with mental health and addictions issues but despite this, she retained her warmth, generosity, gentle spirit and sense of humour. The family would like to thank organizations such as the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, Vancouver, and the Metro Non-Profit Housing Support Centre, Halifax, who see the humanity in every person and work against the institutional indifference to support citizens like Janis who face many difficult challenges. A memorial gathering will be held on Sunday, March 18, at 3 p.m. in the Housing Support Centre, 2330 Gottingen St., Halifax. NS.