Arrangements For Janelle

Good Morning My Blog Friends.  Today is May 11th.  My first order of business is to wish my son Ian a very happy 26th birthday.  May 11th fell on Mothers Day in 1986 and he was the best Mothers Day present Janelle ever got.....

Below is the obituary that will run this Sunday in Charlotte, NC as well as in Salem, OR.  I provide it to you so you are aware of how things are moving forward.

My plan for all of you very loyal readers is to blog at least one more time, probably a week from this Sunday (this is this week's Sunday update), provide you some reflections on the activities coming up.  I am also going to try and provide you links to things like Video Tributes if I can figure that out.  I am thinking that once I do this Reflections Update, that we will let Show and Tell come to a close.  I need to think through that a bit more but those are my thoughts at this time.

I appreciate all of the kind words received in the last 24 hours.  We are managing, lots of things to take care of.  Have a blessed day and again I will plan to see you a week from this Sunday...

Ken

********

Janelle Marie Clausen Hayes

Janelle Hayes, 53, of Charlotte, left us for her eternal home on May 10th, after a nine month brave and spirit filled battle against a brain tumor.

After graduating from Central High School in Independence, OR, Janelle attended Taylor University in Upland, IN where she earned her degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on special needs children. Ken and Janelle married shortly after college and moved to St. Louis, MO to start their lives and careers. The family relocated to Charlotte in 1987 and moved into a house where they have remained for the last 25 years. After holding teacher positions in St. Louis, Janelle became a stay at home mom for a few years and then joined the teaching staff of Sharon Baptist Weekday School in 1995. In 1998 she became the Director of Curriculum at the school, and stayed in that position until January 2012 when she resigned to focus on the cancer battle.

In addition to her professional career, Janelle spent a lot of her personal time on numerous “crafty” activities ranging from the preservation/presentation of photos to the design of cards for every occasion. Her paper crafting pursuits also spawned the popular Show & Tell Blog with an international following. In all things, Janelle’s faith was the center piece of who she was and available in an unassuming way for all to see and admire.

Survivors include her husband of 31 years Ken; daughter and son-in-law Britt and Kenneth Freeman of Raleigh; son Ian of Charlotte; mother Jessie Clausen, and brother, Bob Clausen both of Albany, OR. Also surviving is her mother-in-law Evelyn Hayes of Melbourne, FL; sister-in-laws Janis Tobias of Platte City, MO; Lynne Bolinger of Kokomo, IN; Kris Amerson of Granada Hills, CA and many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces & Nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert D. Clausen and father-in-law, Kenneth M. Hayes.

The family will be available for visitors on Monday, May 14th at Sharon Baptist Church, 6411 Sharon Rd, 6-8 pm.  Graveside services will be on Tuesday, May 15th, at Forest Lawn East in Weddington, 11:00am.  Also on Tuesday at 7:00pm we will gather at Steele Creek Church of Charlotte, 1929 W. Arrowood Rd for a celebration service of Janelle’s life on earth.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored to have contributions directed to either Sharon Baptist Church to be used for tuition scholarships to the weekday school or to Steele Creek Church of Charlotte to be used for their VISION Fund.

We would also like to thank the many people who have been such a blessing to us over the last several months providing meals, running errands, sitting and praying with us and doing so many other practical things that needed to be done.  Also we are so grateful for the care given to us by the staffs at Pineville Radiation Therapy, Mecklenburg Medical Group Oncology Team, and Hospice of Charlotte.

The Hayes family is in the care of Gaskin Services, Matthews, where online condolences may be shared in Janelle’s Book of Memories at www.gaskinservices.com.

Comments

[Armando Cortez]

Thank you Ken. This is very beautifully written. Your strength through all of this is a testament to the love that you and Janelle shared for each other, for your kids, and for our God. May you continue to find comfort in that love and may He continue to bless you in the days to come. Blessings!

[Karen B]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends. May God bless you all and give you peace.

[annawas]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May Janelle rest in peace.

[Janet Brattin]

What a lovely tribute Ken, I can recognize your writing style now. My prayers are with you and your family. Many blessings to you

[Lori Thomas]

That is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. Hugs and prayers to all of you.

[soverhuelwendorf@aol.com]

Thank you Ken,This is such a beautiful dedication of the love you both shared and the amazing life you have built.Even though it was hard for you to write this and the past blogs,Maybe someday you should write a novel of your lives and this journey!

Janelle was the most amazing lady I have ever known! Even back in central days,her smile and kindness to all,made her stand out then and I will always remember her for that! Prayers for you and your family,it must be so hard,I know this feeling well. In time their is still tears but from the wonderful memories! Janelle will be missed,but never forgotten and always with you....Bless you for loving her so much! Susie Overhuel

[Jan Konetchy]

And so a comma in Janelle's life - My heart hurts for you all - May the God of all Comfort be your abiding place - Ken you have loved her well, my friend

[Maria Guitano]

May the lord comfort you and provide for you through this difficult times. I am praying for you and your family!!!!

[Jan Frost]

Ken,

Please let me know if I might help Janelle's Mother in any way. I live so close to her and have the entire weekend free. I would love to help if I'm able. Or, if you need help planning the memorial here in Oregon, please let me know.

Praying you and the family through this difficult season.

[Jan Frost]

Sorry...didn't leave a contact. (not on Facebook right now)

imfrostie@hotmail.com
503-617-9568

[SueB]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony of God's love for Janelle and for her love for all who knew her. I'm praying for your family's comfort, including Janelle's Mom and brother.

[Jerry & Gwen Berry]

Dear Ken, I had sensed this morning that I needed to check the blog, but was hoping there would be nothing until Sunday. I don't even know what to say, except that our hearts grieve with you and Britt and Ian and all her close friends and family. Her blog was such an amazing outreach during the past 9 months..all to be a display of the Splendor of the LORD, Janelle's LORD..Jer said I know she heard first thing..."Well done, good & faithful servant". Thank you for loving well. Our prayers for your strength, encouragement, and Peace continue.

[Anna Smith]

What a beautiful written tribute you have written for your beautiful wife. It is amazing what you and your family have been through. Your strength has been an inspiration. We will miss Janelle our glorious neighbor but I know she is a gorgeous angel watching over us now. Bless you and your family. May you have peace to know that she is in a better place.
Much love and prayers,
The Smiths

[Marybeth L.]

God Bless you and your family!

[Katy @ Live Laugh Love Craft]

The world has lost an amazing woman. May Janelle rest in peace. She was such an inspiration to me as well as many others. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

I just did a post on my blog about Janelle, if you would like to read:

http://www.livelaughlovecraft.com/2012/05/blog-post.html

[Jeannie L]

May God continue to bless you and your family!

[Lee]

I have just come to check for any updates and my heart is so sad to hear this news. Ken and family please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. It was my greatest wish to met Janelle IRL, such a wonderful lady. May God's peace be with you and His love enfold you. Much love and big hugs xxx

[Sherry in MI]

Don't know what made me check the blog today,
but I am certainly glad I did. Ken, you
wrote a beautiful tribute to your wife. The
love just shines through! You and your
family have my deepest sympathy in this loss.
You remain in my thoughts and prayers and may
God continue to hold you in the palm of His
hand!

[Rob Johnston]

Ken, oh my brother, I love you so much and hurt for you as you grieve the loss of your beautiful bride. Janelle is such a daughter of righteousness, and the good news now, is that she is no longer in pain because her cancer has been defeated. But for those left behind, I know your pain and will be praying for you, Britt, and Ian as you crawl forward with life without Janelle. Thank you for your transparency thoughout this journey and letting your many brothers and sisters pray for your family. As you turn the pages of your life book, we are still hear to pray for you, and to be available 7/24 at your request. We love you, and our paryers are flowing heavenly for you, Britt, and Ian.

[Kim Heggins]

Ken, thank you so much for taking all of the time to keep all of us updated on Janelle's condition each week and I am so sorry for your loss.

[eleftheria]

I just saw this.I cannot beleive it.
Rest in peace my Janelle, my friend.What a great loss you are to me even though i never met you.I wish i had the chance to say goodbye to you.I will love you forever.
Ken, Ian, Britt and Kenneth.My heart is with you every step of the way.Thank you for the updates, they mean the world to me
Love you all

[Julie H in Mn]

Thank you for sharing your journey...Prayers from Minnesota!

[Jean]

Blessings to you and your loved ones.

[aissie jake]

gone 2 soon ! god bless you all

[Ginna G]

I hope that today and yesterday went well. I have been(I am sure many others also)thinking and praying for you all these last two days.
I am sure that tonight's celebration was wonderful to match Janelle. What a creative, spiritual & loving person she is...I say is because all the things we are on earth are even MORE so in heaven. Plus she will live on in those who knew her, even in just the cyber way.
Be encouraged and lean on God.
Janelle is WELL, WHOLE & REJOICING. Praise God.
I also wanted you to know that those of us out here understand that Show and Tell must come to an end.....but is there any way to leave up past posts or maybe just her cards. There are many of us out here inspired by her creativity and we would love to be able to take a look at her cards when we need inspiration or just want to remember her... just asking.
Take care, rejoicing with your for God's grace and eternal wholeness.