Janny Fiske, nee Janice Audrey Burns, died peacefully at the age of 92, on February 14, 2022, at Plymouth Place, in La Grange Park, Illinois. She was surrounded by loving family members.
Janny was born in Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York, on July 27, 1929. She was preceded in death by her parents, Geneva Churchill Burns and Arthur Floyd Burns, and her husband of 60 years, George Whitney Fiske Jr. Janny is survived by her two sisters, Barbara Duttweiler and Linda Soffron (Steve); her five children, George Whitney Fiske III (Melanie), Susan Fiske Rulong (David), Gail Fiske Crantz (Sheldon), Judy Fiske Moak (Kevin) and Timothy Burns Fiske (Rosanna); her thirteen grandchildren, Adam (Heather), Sara (Andre), John (Sofia), Evan (Amy), Kate (Vince), Natalie (Kevin), Kelly (Leo), Stephanie (Bradley), Zachary (Kelsey), Andrew, Gregory, Sabrina, and Whitney; twenty-two great grandchildren, Alex, Henry, Chase, Jaxon, Maddox, Lily Grae, Ileana, Elliot, Wyatt, Maya, Vincent, Violet, Scarlett, Abe, Tyler, Brielle, Greyson, Jaxon, Brayden, Avery, Camden, and Sage.
After traveling the world for four decades, Janny returned to Ohio, close to her daughter Susan and husband Ru. Happily, all of her other children and their families visited often.
Janny and Whit were married in Madison, New Jersey, on June 18, 1949. Much of their married life was spent internationally – Portugal, Germany, Luxembourg, Turkey, Italy, Greece, England and Canada. In their later years they lived in Massachusetts and Florida until Janny moved to Sandusky, Ohio in 2017. At the time of her death, Janny had been celebrating the holiday season in Chicago with her daughter Gail and family.
Janny’s life was filled with love and gratitude. She loved so much in life: family, friends, flowers, music, laughter, wine, food, fashion, bridge, tennis and golf among them. Most of all, she loved parties. Janny had a sparkling smile, a hearty laugh, and an enduring sense of adventure.
Celebrations of Janny’s life will be held by many, throughout this year and for many years to come. Donations in memory of Janice Burns Fiske and her love of life, children, and the global community of kindness may be made at www.unicefusa.org.
Interment private. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside at 708-352-6500.
Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
Helen Lowrie Marshall
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This was beautiful. Going to miss Janny very much! What a lovely lady!
What a beautiful tribute to a woman that I know you loved so much. May wonderful memories fill your hearts.
With shattered and grateful hearts we say goodbye to my sweet Grandma Janny. Her kind heart, sense of humor, love for family, sparkling blue eyes, laughter and confidence will always be with me. You are a legend. And like the saying goes, ‘legends never die.’ I am so lucky I had you for 41 years and Brady, Avery and Camden had you too ❤️ 😇 🙏🏻 🍀 I love you forever.
What a wonderful tribute to such a vibrant woman! Such an inspiring matriarch for her whole family.
Love learning even more about the amazing woman Grandma Janny was and the incredible life she lived. Hold onto all those special memories as you navigate this difficult time. I see many of her beautiful qualities living on in those she loved. Sending my heartfelt sympathy to you all! ❤️
She was pretty amazing! Legacy lives on through all that she touched! Cheers to Grandma Janny
Such a lovely obituary for a beautiful lady inside and out. She will be missed by everyone who met her. Sending much love and support in your time of grief and loss 🥰 🫂
May time heal your sorrow and may you be comforted by ALL of the wonderful memories of beautiful and sweet Janny 💕💕💕💕
Dearest Gail; so many great memories of this beautiful lady. I will always remember her patiently trying to teach bridge to me in Meadville, and always joyfully cooking eggs for the whole hungover crew from Allegheny. Take care my friend and pass on our thoughts to Sue, Judy and the rest of the family. Hopefully we can raise a glass soon together in her honor. Your age old friend!!!
Janny was a beautiful woman in every way. It was a privilege and delight to know her. Much love to her lovely family at this time of incredible loss.
What a lovely tribute! Such a beautiful life. Sending much love to you all.
Dear Fiske Family,
Your Mom/Grandma was so full of sunshine which she shared with everyone she met. What a gift to all of us. May her sunshine comfort all of you now, and always. Sending hugs and much love.
Thanks so much Mary Jane and Mike — family sweetness is indeed one of the true wonders of life — and aren’t we all so very lucky to have had that sweetness passed along to us across the generations. Your kind words and remembrances of her and her sunny smile are sweet solace at this sad time.
With gratitude, Judy