Janet Elizabeth Ireland (nee Hassey)
Visitation at the MacKenzie & McCreath Funeral Home, Lucknow, on Friday December 12, 2025 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM
Funeral Service will be held at the MacKenzie & McCreath Funeral Home, Lucknow, on Saturday December 13, 2025 at 1 PM

Cemetery:
Greenhill Cemetery, Lucknow
In Memory of
Janet Elizabeth Ireland (nee Hassey)
August 10th, 1952 - December 5th, 2025

Place of Death

Alexandra Marine & General Hospital, Goderich

Obituary

Janet Elizabeth Ireland (nee Hassey), of Dungannon, wife of William Ireland passed away peacefully on Friday December 5, 2025 at the age of 73 surrounded by her loved ones after a long, courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease. She was born on August 10, 1952 in Hamilton, daughter of the late Nellie (Marshall) and William Hassey.  Dear mother of Denise (Joel) Cyr of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Darryl Lea of St. Catharines.  Beloved “Babchi” of grandson Perry.   Sister of Barbara Hrankowski of Niagara Falls, Linda (Larry) Kerr of Belle River, and Bob (Joan) Hassey of Hamilton.  Also missed by step-children Becky (Dean) Lightfoot of Waterdown, Richard (Pam) Ireland of Port Albert, William (Tracy) Ireland of London, Jeffrey (Deb) Ireland of Belgrave and Robert (Roberta) Ireland of Port Albert, sisters-in-law Marie Jamieson of Orangeville and Eva May (Lloyd) Ferrier of Huntsville and several nieces and nephews. Best friend of Janet McGillicuddy and the late Jane Ireland. Predeceased by brothers-in-law Terry Hrankowski and Robert Ireland.

Janet was a self-taught, talented seamstress, a friend to all and she lit up the room with her quiet wit, humour and smile. A heartfelt thanks to the One-Care home care professionals and the excellent staff at Southbridge Longterm Care.

Visitation will be held at the MacKenzie & McCreath Funeral Home, Lucknow, on Friday December 12, 2025 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM.  A funeral service will be conducted from the funeral home chapel on Saturday December 13, 2025 at 1 PM.  Spring interment Greenhill Cemetery, Lucknow. Everyone is invited to wear purple if they wish, in memory of Janet as it was her favourite colour.  Donations to the Huntington Society of Canada are greatly appreciated as expressions of sympathy.  

Donations

Please select one of the family's preferred charities:

  Huntington Society of Canada

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Message from JOHNATHAN E STONES2025-12-18 09:29:06
Will always cherish going to your house growing up. Playing in the willow tree in your back yard, Bon fires, eating Ukrainian food, and laughing at you being silly will always be great memories for me to cherish forever. Love you forever, now its time to rest xo.
Message from Christine Thurston2025-12-13 21:58:36
Denise, Darryl, Willy and family Sending much love and prayers.🙏 Although my heart is heavy of my dear cousin’s passing, I’m so grateful for the memories that remain close to my heart. I can’t help but smile when I think of Janet; she had a great sense of humour. When Billy and I were kids we’d get so excited and happy knowing cousin Janet was coming to visit or babysit….We both knew it was going to be fun times.. She’d jump on the bed with us until we’d all start giggling , then she’d tickle us until we couldn’t breathe. She was the best!!! And I will never forget the joy and love she showed us; her kindness, and affection always came from the HEART .❤️ Janet’s smile was infectious, It just pulled you in and made you want to smile too, no matter how you were feeling. It was always so evident how important family was to cousin Janet. She was an incredible loving mother And overall an incredible beautiful person. How blessed are we ALL to have known and been apart of this beautiful soul’s life, My dearest cousin Janet I love you 🥰 Your memory will always be a blessing.
Message from Mary Ann Mckinley2025-12-13 17:08:35
My sincere condolences to you Denise, Joel, Perry, Darryl, Willy and families. I will always cherish the wonderful memories of my dear Chucha Janet. Janet was loving, kind, generous and had a great sense of humour. I loved her dearly.
Message from Scott Ferrier2025-12-13 14:03:16
Heather and I send our heartfelt condolences to family and friends of Aunt Janet. She will be missed
Message from Nanny2025-12-13 11:58:11
To my favourite Aunt in the world…You were the best, kindest, sweetest, funniest and I loved you so very much. Thank you Willie for loving her so deeply and taking care of her so well. My condolences to the whole family and to everyone who knew and loved her. . She was one in a million!❤️
Message from Wayne and Barb Stonehouse2025-12-13 08:46:58
To Bill and Family We are heartbroken to learn of your beloved Janet's death. May she now finally be free at last from the bonds of that horrid disease. We will remember the good times and the visits with Janet over the years. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love and hugs, dear friend.
Message from Chrystlin Stones2025-12-12 20:27:05
Tetya Janet was such an important person in our lives growing up. I’ll never forget afternoons at her house in St. Catharines playing under the willow branches in her yard and visits to the farm where we shared memories, laughs, and gentle moments together. Tetya Janet taught me to use a sewing machine and always had a knack for making a shy kid like me feel comfortable when she was around. She’ll be greatly missed. Condolences, Uncle Willy. Thank you for giving her so much love and for welcoming us into your life as well. We’ll always be your family.
Message from Karl Burger2025-12-12 10:10:06
I had the pleasure of meeting Janet many years ago through her niece, Mary-Ann. Janet welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like a member of her family. She was always kind, friendly, generous and had a wonderful sense of humour. I’ll always remember how loving and caring she was towards her beautiful children, Denise and Darryl. I thought the world of Janet, she was a blessing in my life and the lives of her friends and family. May Janet Rest in Peace, in the glorious Kingdom of God.
Message from Marilyn Lightfoot2025-12-12 10:08:11
Dearest Bill & all your Family, I was very shocked when I received your message a week ago, Fri, Dec05/25, advising me about our beautiful Janet. I loved her like a big Sister, I’ll never forget her for that beautiful smile, her hardy laugh, her voice, just Janet, she brightened every room, she entered. Such a wonderful woman & friend, so lovely inside & out. ♥️ I will definitely miss our visits & talks, always a pleasure to be around you! No more suffering Janet, may you rest in sweet peace, Janet, until we meet again. Love always, Marilyn Lightfoot & Pat Schmitt, Exeter, On
Message from Heather & Tom2025-12-11 10:14:12
Denise, Joel, and Perry - we are so sorry for your loss and our thoughts are with you guys at this difficult time. The memories you have will last forever; one of my favourites was at your wedding - your mom was so happy! Sending all our love, Heather, Tom, Wade & Colin
Message from Katie Keeble (Warlow)2025-12-11 06:21:05
Dear Denise and family, so sorry to hear of your lovely mum passing. Thoughts are with you xxx
Message from Coleen Tew2025-12-10 22:30:39
My deepest condolences to Janet’s family and friends. Janet and I were friends at St. John’s School, and remained friends until after high school. We lost touch with each other after, much to my regret. I had tried to find her, but didn’t know her name had changed. When I read her obituary, my heart sank. She was a fireball and we had so much fun together. Janet, I hope you know how much you meant to me. Rest well.
Message from Laura Frayne2025-12-10 13:44:17
I'm so sorry to hear of Janet's passing. She was an amazing person and will be missed by all. Thoughts and prayers to Bill and all of the family.
Message from Sharon Cummins2025-12-10 12:44:52
My deepest sympathy to Wiiie, Daryl, Denise and the entire Hassey and Ireland families. Janet was such a happy loving person who made everyone around her smile and she will be missed by many. R.I.P. Janet.
Message from Joan Pollard2025-12-10 10:55:24
Bill and family, my sincere sympathy,,we are away but know you are in my thoughts and prayers at yet another difficult time in your life,, .. will see you in the spring
Message from Bill and Suzanne Andrew2025-12-10 10:28:11
Our sincere condolences to Bill and all of the family on your loss of Janet.
Message from Brenda Cole2025-12-10 08:59:02
Dear Ireland & Hassey Family, My deepest heartfelt condolences. My heart goes out to you and your family. Janet faced this disease with such grace and courage. She was an inspiration to us. I admired her good nature and sense of humor as she battled this disease. I imagine her free of the limitations of this earthly body and able to enjoy her heavenly spirit in unconditional love. She was loved and will be missed by many. May her strength continue to guide and comfort you. Sharing in your sadness, Brenda Cole
Message from Barbara and Doug Gilbart2025-12-09 23:26:44
"Rest In Peace", Dear Janet! Our heartfelt condolences go out to Bob, Joan and all family.
Message from John & Isabel Ireland2025-12-09 19:49:37
Dear Cousin William Henry, our Deepest Sympathy to you, & all of your & Janet's families. Our thoughts & prayers are with you. Sincerely, John & Isabel Ireland.
Message from Lucille Knowlton2025-12-09 12:15:22
My sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of Janet. Lucille Knowlton
Message from Natalie Harrison (Kachur)2025-12-09 11:28:59
Our deepest sympathy to Willie, Daryl, Denise and the entire Hassey family. May beautiful memories of Janet remain in your hearts forever. Natalie and Jeff Harrison
Message from janet McGillicuddy2025-12-09 02:23:02
always referenced Janet as simply Hassey!!!/ my forever friend/ when someone dies a cloud turns into an angel, and flies up to tell God to put another flower on a pillow. a bird gives the message back to the world, and sings a silent prayer that makes the rain cry. people disappear, but they never really go away. the spirits up there put the sun to bed, wake up the grass, and spin the earth into dizzy circles. sometimes you see them dancing in a cloud during the day-time, when they're supposed to be sleeping. they paint the rainbows and also the sunsets and make waves splash and tug at the tide. they toss shooting stars and listen to wishes. and when they sing wind-songs, they whisper to us , don't miss me too much. the view is nice and i'm doing just fine. we always joked 'if we ended-up in the same care home we wouldn't require name tags.'janet and janet incorporated' . and until we meet again, may God hold you in the small of his hand. love you forever, like you for always my bestest friend, earth angel i want so badly to see you now that i invent your face on ladies in the crowd...GOD BLESS HASSEY XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX McGillicuddy
Message from Donna Plunkert ( Kachur)2025-12-08 21:00:02
Our deepest condolences to Janet’s husband, children and siblings on the passing of Janet.May her memory always be a blessing to you all.Our prayers-Bill and Donna.
Message from Allan Pidsadny2025-12-08 17:34:39
Dear Willie and family We are so sorry to hear about Janet. You have been a god send to her. Taking care of her devotly. Janet was such a loving soul to all she met.Her funny jokes and stories made us smile and warm our hearts. Monica and I had good laughs with her when we got together.We will miss her.God rest her soul . God bless you and your family. Monica Allan and our family
Message from Marythurston 2025-12-08 15:51:27
Willie ! Your an amazing human A God driven caring gentleman . Janet was so happy with you she had many proud statements about her Willie. Thankyou Willie for blessing Janet with your love and devotion .With all my heart ❤️ Janet is deeply going to be missed Willie my condolence to you and all loved ones .thankyou again for loving Janet as you do .love marusha xoxo
Message from Sheri Schram2025-12-08 15:17:05
My condolences to Willy and Janet's families. Janet was such a vibrant lady. She loved telling her stories and sharing pictures of her grandchildren with me at the mill. She will be missed.
Message from KEITH ADAMS2025-12-08 13:57:06
My condolences on your loss. I am sure you have many fond memories to hold on to.
Message from Ron and Diana Ellis2025-12-08 13:14:19
Sorry to hear of the loss of you wife Bill, Ron and I sending our condolences to you and your families. Ron and Diana
Message from Cousins Sophie Pidsadny and Ken Pidsadny2025-12-08 12:32:27
Dear William and family We are deeply sadden to hear of the passing of our cousin Janet. She was a special mother & wife and married to wonderful loving Willie. We will always remember her smile and we have been blessed to have her in our family. We will miss you Janet and may you rest in eternal peace. Love cousins Sophie Pidsadny & Ken Pidsadny
Message from Marythurston 2025-12-08 12:12:17
My loving Denise and daryl both of you i love you and my heart and prayers are around you s. You chikdren are her legacy and the beautiful children you are . I know she lives on in you both xoxo marusha xoxo
Message from Marusha (mary) Thurston 2025-12-08 11:05:02
Hunny my fun loving most adorable cousin .You always said im nervous im afraid to me . BUT YOU ARE THE MOST BRAVEST WOMEN IVE EVER KNOWN. Janet look what you did for all of us Currage to its fullest . LOVE ALWAYS LOVE ❤️ YOU NEVER STOPPED LOVING .You were a great example yo me as a mother a women a true unselfish lady .You always thought of your children and you put everyone first. I love you Janet Hay maybe now you can play your guitar in heaven . Smile down please on me I miss you love marusha xoxo
Message from Joanne and Bob Molodynia2025-12-07 17:02:29
I will always have a big place in my heart for "Chucha" Janet ... remembering high school nights spent at her home , carefully sifting through rice before she cooked it , her sewing my bridesmaid dresses , being a loving mother (a great example to me for the future at that time) and always welcoming Bob, Michelle and Myk into their home... a life well lived❤️
Message from Sharon Williams2025-12-07 14:37:36
God Bless Janet What an amazing , funny kind sweetie, you shared with all who have been Blessed to know you.. Now you are resting in peace with Our Lord and meet with friends and family of those who rest with your Heavenly Father . We will meet again. my friend 💕🙏🏼