Janet Everill Hawkins

Obituary of Janet Everill Hawkins Born April 19, 1944, Janet passed away suddenly from natural causes on July 29, daughter of Russel and Eva Finley, sister to Stephen Finley. Janet spent most of her childhood in the Halifax and Springvale areas. She graduated from Halifax West High School. She then attended Miss Murphy’s Business College in Halifax and relocated to Toronto. During her time there, she began her family, marrying John Hawkins of Halifax. Following the births of their sons, Gordon and Craig, the family returned to Halifax around 1970. Shortly thereafter, Janet and John separated, and she moved to Dartmouth. In 1977, she met her life partner, Louis Pothier of Wedgeport, Nova Scotia. They enjoyed road trips around the province together, frequently traveling to Wedgeport for holidays. Louis passed away shortly after Janet on September 8. In her early days in Halifax, Janet was often mistaken for child star Shirley Temple, as she shared the curly hair and infectious smile. Her mother and father frequently had to reassure people that they had not kidnapped the young Hollywood sensation. From a young age, Janet developed a fascination with ponies and horses. Her childhood home was filled with shelves displaying her ever‑growing collection of china horses in varying sizes, breeds, and shapes. Not a Christmas or birthday passed without another china horse being added to the herd. Janet enjoyed many years of horseback riding at different stables and attending local horse shows and exhibitions throughout Halifax and Nova Scotia. In her adult years, some of her lifelong china horses fell and perhaps broke a leg or two, but new replacements quickly took their places on her shelves. Janet also enjoyed her photography hobby, which allowed her to connect with fellow photography enthusiasts. Few ducks, squirrels, frogs, salamanders, raccoons, and the occasional deer in Dartmouth’s Shubie Park escaped addition to her photographic collection. The same was true of the ducks and the well‑known geese of Sullivan’s Pond. These parks and their wildlife brought Janet many moments of personal enjoyment. Throughout her life, Janet asked for little but was always ready to give back to others. She was extremely proud of her two sons, Gordon (partner, Kamelia Pezeshki) and Craig (wife Janet L.), and even more so of her grandchildren, Sam, Isabel, and Lily. Her life may have seemed simple to some less modest souls, but she was remarkably content within her world. She will be deeply missed by family and friends who had the privilege of sharing in her life.

Janet Everill Hawkins

April 19, 1944 - July 29, 2025