Jan Greene
April 8, 2013
Jan Greene’s Opus
Original Release: June 30 1949
Unrated: Comedy/Action/Drama/Adventure +
Running Time 23,294 Days
Conceived & Original Production by:
Robert Walton (Wally) Featherston – d.1981
Phyllis J. Featherston (nee: Wing) – d.2006
Cast: (In Order of Appearance)
Robert Featherston – Sibling – Ottawa, Ontario
Carol Bishop – Sibling – Palm Desert, California
Phyllis Beelen – Sibling – Ottawa, Ontario
Jason Wetstein – Son – Kitchener, Ontario
David Greene – Husband (current) – London, Ontario
Megan Griffith-Greene – Step Daughter – Toronto, Ontario
Alexis DeCastro – Step Daughter – Toronto, Ontario
Sherman T. Greene – Bulldog – London, Ontario
Produced & Directed by: Jan Greene
Synopsis: Janice Margaret Featherston was born June 30, 1949 into a military family and spent her early years on her grandparents’ farm while her father served his country in Korea. Following his return from the war, the family led a typical military nomad life with postings in Petawawa, Winnipeg and Ottawa among others. She became the typical ‘Army Brat’ and maintained the ‘Brat’ part well beyond the early years.
Following her graduation from Woodroffe High in Ottawa (’68), Jan attended the University of Western Ontario where she was granted a Bachelor of Music, Honors in Music Education (’72) and a Diploma in Education, Post Baccalaureate Program, Althouse College (’73). Armed with her unstoppable desire to teach High School music, Jan responded to a note on the bulletin board at Althouse and soon became one of the founding faculty of what has become the world-renowned Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College. During her tenure, she touched the lives of the vast majority of the students that passed through the halls, many of whom have gone on to be some of the most creative and influential leaders of the international music industry.
Jan was principled woman who wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed and did so regularly with an amazing combination of tenacity and compassion. She was true leader whose greatest joy was watching others grow and flower, a real scrapper; who won every battle she took on, except one. The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Borrie and the team at the Aging Brain and Memory Clinic at Parkwood Hospital, Betsy Little and everyone at the Alzheimer Society London and Middlesex, and all the staffs at both Horizon Place Retirement Residence and McGarrell Place Long Term Care for all their compassionate and professional support throughout this ordeal.
A remembrance will be held at the Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London Ontario between 7:00 and 9:00 PM on Friday April 12. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex >www.alzheimerlondon.ca.
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You're one of my Dearest Friends, I like to think that God sends us "Special Friends" to share our lives....I'm Grateful God sent me you. I'll miss our talks, your giggle & the way your eyes twinkle. You will never be forgotten, Kathleen & Michael T.
I'm sorry for your loss David. Jan was an amazing woman and I'm greatful to have known her. She taught with her heart and she will be missed. Her laughter, smile and music will live on.
David our condolences to you. We are saddened by Jan's loss, she was always a generous, giving woman. She will be missed. Our thoughts are with you.
Very sad news to know that Jan is no longer with us. She was definitely one of the most memorable and inspiring people I have met over the course of my career and I thank her for helping to make my MIA experience a great one. My condolences to her family.
My condolences to the family. Jan 's love to teach infected us all as students.She filled these classes with energy and enthusiasm. She taught me to hear components in music that I never knew existed. I use these skills everyday.Thank you, Jan.
My condolences to Jan's Family and close friends. Jans was warm, tough but extremely fair woman. I will always remember her ear training and music theory classes. Her grinning at us as she explained the complexities of music theory to a bunch of us punk rock wannabes. She was extremely generious and suportive of our music and went over and above to help us. Thank you Jan, your spirit lives on in thousands of music students.
One of the things that Jan did for me was, well she taught me how to listen and I still use that lesson
My condolences to Jan's family and friends. Jan and I started at Fanshawe at the same time. She was a wonderful teacher: wise, fair, and totally engaging. She touched so many students and colleagues because for her it really was all about the music. She will be so missed.
I fondly remember drinks with her and David while they were on vacation in Aruba and my ship was in for the day. She was proudly sporting an MIA t-shirt... "Missing in Aruba". Jan, you believed in me and bent the rules slightly to give me a little help, and that will always be appreciated. Thanks, and may you rest in peace.
Class of 1983. I'm writing this a year after Jan passed. I hadn't known until now. In a great many ways, Jan changed my life for the much, much better. I learned what a teacher *could* be. Please accept my sincerest sympathies and condolences, however belated they may be.
I was very saddened to learn of Jan's passing. She was a great teacher and always found time to help. I'll never forget the time she took the time to meet me downtown London at Hysen's Music to assist me in the selection of music for my wedding. That was Jan...always giving. Rest in peace Jan. My deepest condolences to her family.
I am glad that this public forum is available so that I can let everyone know what an amazing person Jan Greene was to me. She was my teacher and our director at Fanshawe College and my debt to her is forever. Jan was the SOLE reason that I was offered an opportunity in the music industry that became my career. Jan had the passionate foresight and logical sense to aid a young and struggling student. She made the difference for me and this is something I will never forget. I am confident that my experience with her is but one small sliver of what Jan's contributed to the world … regardless, it meant the world to me. I will miss you Jan. Please rest peacefully. Brad Nelson Fanshawe 1995-1997
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
Joyce and I were so sorry to hear about Jan's passing. Jan was truly a remarkable woman who enlightened, inspired and deeply affected so many of us with her passionate, energetic and consistent style. Jan was a rare gem who was caring, thoughtful, sensitive and so funny, but at the same time had an amazing strength of character. Our deepest condolences and prayers go to you David and your family.
Ever the teacher, yet another lesson taught with her passing, about staying in touch with people you care about. My heart is heavy. Thoughts and prayers are with you David and family. She changed and made better so many lives, mine among them. <3
I was saddened to hear of Jan's passing. We shared a great friendship as faculty members at Fanshawe in the 1980's. Jan was so much fun to be with and on a trip to Puerto Vallarta in 1985, I remember laughing till we cried! She was so passionate about the MIA program and this was contagious to those around her! She loved her family and her loss will be felt by all. Sincerest condolences to her family. We have lost a bright light, but her memory and legacy will shine forever.
Jan was quite the spirit. Will remember her this way.
David, I had an urge to call you the other day just to check in. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Jan was a great girl, and you were so supportive. Condolences from the bottom of my heart.
Jan always reminded it is always about the music!
"Love is like a violin. The music may stop now and then, but the strings remain forever." (June Masters Backer). Your life together was the best and most full 'orchestra' anyone could ever imagine,. Much love to you David and to all in the family.
"Love is like a violin. The music may stop now and then, but the strings remain forever" (June Masters Backer) David, your life with Jan was the best and most full orchestra anyone could ever imagine. Much love to you and to all the family.
Jan was a world class teacher and an even better human being. She won't be forgotten.
Jan was great gift to music and the MIA program. Always encouraging us to do better. Much sadness to hear of her passing. My condolences to her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.
As a 2007 graduate of MIA, I had the pleasure of meeting Jan a handful of times. She was a wonderful personality and I am very sorry to hear of her passing. I've heard many stories of Jan's great tenure with the MIA program, and her contribution & legacy is something to be admired. My condolences to her family & friends - she will be missed.
I first met Jan when she was teaching music theory and ear training at Fanshawe College. Those were two potentially dry and difficult subjects, but Jan lead us through them with such a smile and great sense of humour we looked forward to her classes - and as it turned out, those became lessons of great and lasting value. Jan had such a warm and exuberant presence. She will be missed. Much love to David and the whole family.
Jan's energy and enthusiasm for teaching was so wonderful, it was something she was born to do. I will never forget her beautiful laugh and her positive outlook, I consider myself very lucky to have been one of her students.
I'm shocked, this is so sad. I can honestly say that the fact that I've been working in the industry is due to Jan either feeling sorry for me or she got sick of getting my audition tapes! After following her advice over the phone, it took me 3 years to finally get accepted before getting a chance to meet her in person. I remember having a few counselling sessions with Jan, and she always had great advice and was so down to earth. You could talk to her about anything. I always remember her smile, and think about her every time I hear the phrase "it looked like a dogs breakfast!".
I'm very sorry for your loss. Jan was a very strong woman and role model for me. I feel very blessed to have known her.
The love, wisdom, compassion, integrity and humour that Jan and David shared was an inspiration to many of us. Sincere condolences on your loss David, and at the same time the heartiest of applause to your beautiful opus, Jan. Amin, Danielle, Angela, Kelsey and Fatima Bhatia
What a loss of an amazing woman . . . thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I'm so sorry for your loss. In my brief encounter with Jan, I was privileged to witness the greatness of her heart. No doubt, she will be missed. What a beautiful tribute to her. Carole
So many great memories of Jan, I had the privilege of being in Jan's first home room class at Fanshawe when the program was called Creative Electronics. She brought a love of music to multiple generations of students. Plus she represented the students so well as the co-ordinator over many years. I will especially miss her infectious smile and wonderful engaging personality. My sincere condolences to the family.
I am sorry to hear of Jan's passing. I worked with Jan at Fanshawe for several years. She was always kind, very understanding and was so dedicated to her students. I particularly loved her sense of humour and the compassion she showed me with my father had passed. I'm sure she will be missed. Prayers to her family & friends.
I am so pleased that we visited Jan and David twice this past year. Her memory is a true inspiration for all people to stick up for yourselves in the Music Industry and always remember to stay true to the song. We first met at Fanshawe College in 1973 . She took on the Goliath's many times for all the right reasons . I will never forget her as one of the very few straight shooters in music, and her love to hug everyone.
I'm very sorry for your loss. She was an amazing and compassion person - I feel blessed to have known her through work... thoughts & prayers to her family & friends.
Jan's written Opus resemebles the character of the woman. Original, creative, self-actualized, smart, funny and absolutely the "REAL THING" . Jan was a bright joyful light to those that had the pleasure to meet her upon her short journey. I am a better woman for knowing Jan and appreciate every day...just as she did. Miss you Jan! Dearest David, as Neil Young would suggest "She's always dancing".....know that she is. Wishing you peace.
Beth and I were saddened to hear of Jan's passing. We have had such good times with you both these past years. Jan's contribution to the MIA program will never be forgotten. The students who were fortunate to have had her as their teacher will have wonderful memories. Her sense of fun, hard work, dedication and love of music will provide them with inspiration for the rest of their lives. Our heartfelt condolences to David, Jason and Sherman. Good-bye Jan and remember, wherever you are going, keep 'training those ears'.
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(Donated to Alzheimer Society London & Middlesex)
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