It is with a heavy heart that we report the death of Janet Turcotte, C3 friend and advocate, after a 3 year battle against Stage IV colon cancer. She passed away early this morning, surrounded by her family, at the age of 57.
C3 first got to know this remarkable woman in early 2006 when she responded to a request for survivor stories in the Washington, DC area. We learned that she was deeply involved in the horse racing community, and had successfully lobbied for the colorectal cancer blue star of hope to be embroidered on the saddle cloths for the Preakness Stakes. We embraced the opportunity to work with Janet to help spread awareness of the star as the symbol of colorectal cancer. Thanks to C3′s efforts, Janet’s story was reported by print and television media throughout the country in the days leading up to the race, including this interview on CNN Headline News in May 2006:
Despite multiple surgeries and the pain of treatment, Janet continued working with C3 on behalf of the entire colorectal cancer community. She forged a very strong relationship with Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and his staff. She sat down for meetings, wrote letters and made phone calls all in order to educate them on colorectal cancer and the need for increased funding.
In March Janet participated in C3’s Annual Call-on Congress. During a meeting with Senator Cardin she had the opportunity to present to him one of the saddle cloths from the 2006 Preakness Stakes.
In May, Janet was formally recognized on the floor of the United States Senate by Senator Cardin for her tireless efforts as a colorectal cancer advocate.
These words by her dear friends and fellow advocates, Suzanne Lindley and Erika Hanson Brown echo the loss felt by the entire C3 community:
Thank you, Janet, for the friendship and the gift of knowing you; for your bravery, your grace, and your zest for life. Your ability to create awareness and your talent for design will forever adorn the halls of Congress and the Preakness race and far beyond. The courage of your voice will always be heard and the light of your unending hope remembered. “And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” – what a beautiful angel has joined that flight. Our heartfelt sympathy to your wonderful family and the circle of friends who will miss you. Soar forever, my friend, soar always.
Update:After learning that Janet’s illness was in its final stages but before her death, Senator Cardin once again recognized Janet on the Senate floor.
Below is an excerpt from the Congressional Record of September 20, 2007:
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I wish to recognize one of my constituents, Janet Turcotte of Bowie, Maryland. I was fortunate to meet Janet in March of this year when she visited my Washington office. She came as part of C3, the Colorectal Cancer Coalition, a group whose mission is to eliminate suffering and death due to colorectal cancer.
Janet is a talented embroiderer, and for more than 20 years she has been decorating saddlecloths for the thoroughbreds at Maryland’s Pimlico Race Course. For the past 2 years, she has added the colorectal cancer “Blue Star of Hope” to the saddlecloths of the contenders for the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. Recognizing that the Preakness has more than 17 million television viewers each year, Janet aims to use this symbol to encourage early screening for colorectal cancer, and to save lives. Janet graciously brought me one of those “Blue Star” saddlecloths, which is now displayed in my personal office.
Janet Turcotte is far more than an advocate for colorectal health. She is also a patient. First diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer 4 years ago, she is currently battling her third recurrence of the disease. Last week, Janet’s doctors told her that she does not have much time left.
Janet’s message to Congress and to all Americans is an urgent and important one. It is that early screening, diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer can save lives. The American Cancer Society, whose members will visit Capitol Hill soon, reports that in 2006, more than 150,000 new cases of colon cancer were diagnosed and more than 50,000 Americans died from the disease, including more than 1,000 Marylanders. I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our appreciation to Janet Turcotte , a dedicated and courageous advocate for colorectal health, for her selfless efforts to promote a healthier America.
September 20, 2007 at 3:49 pm, Jo-Ellen said:
Oh, the beautiful smile! I shall miss Janet and her smile when C3ers meet again…Janet looked so like my Mom (Eva Janet)when she was young and they shared the same name…I loved her immediately. Janet, you will be missed and remembered.
September 20, 2007 at 5:54 pm, Cheryl Cowles said:
On one of our visits to D.C. Erika and I had the privilege to sit with Janet at the hospital as she was receiving treatment. She had been there since early morning and would be there till early evening. Plus, they were sending her home with chemo. As I sat there I couldn’t help but wonder how this tiny body could withstand all that they were putting in her that day. As we walked out of the hospital, I realized I had never sat with my brother while he was getting treatment. I had no idea how difficult it must be to go through something like that day in and day out. My life changed that day and will never be the same. I have such an appreciation and respect for people like Janet, my brother and other’s fighting the cancer battle. So often I wanted to reach out to Janet, just to tell her how much I cared. I never really knew what to say to her. When Erika and Susan asked people to write to Janet and her family I realized I finally knew what to say. Janet, I’m a better person for having known you. The strength, the courage, the spirit in you is a gift to all of us. You will always be in my heart.
Cheryl
September 21, 2007 at 12:04 am, Carlea Bauman said:
Such a beautiful tribute for an amazing woman. Janet was an incredible advocate, full of grace and passion. I will miss her very much.
September 21, 2007 at 11:04 am, Joe Arite said:
Janet was an amazing human being who’s drive to bring awarenes to others will remain an example to all of us. You will be misssed.
September 23, 2007 at 1:15 pm, Susanne Martin said:
I have been a personal friend of Janet’s for over 23 years, and she has always been the one to look forward, see the best in others, and put her caring for others before her own. In our last telphone conversation, she was more concerned about my health, having recently been diagnosed with a blood disorder but not knowing exactly what it was, than with her own health issues, and that was only a couple of weeks ago. She was truly remarkable, and her passing has caused such a loss in my life — one that can never be replaced — and I am sure this holds true for so many others. I only hope Janet realized the impact she made on so many other people’s lives. She was a wonderful spirit, and I’m sure she will continue in that capacity in the “hereafter”.
September 25, 2007 at 4:14 pm, Michelle Goetzinger said:
We will miss Janet terribly. What a beautiful woman, inside and out.
September 26, 2007 at 10:22 am, Stacey Burnett said:
My Mother, my best friend, my hero. My heart is filled with sadness. I love you Mom.
September 26, 2007 at 1:01 pm, Joy Void-Holmes said:
Janet was a remarkable woman. Her passion for her career and most importantly her family is what I will remeber about her most. She will be missed. My love and prayers to her daughters and grandkids.
September 27, 2007 at 8:49 am, Jack Thompson, Jr. said:
Janet will be missed by all, she was a wonderful lady. She cared about others and showed it in so many ways.
September 30, 2007 at 9:10 pm, Juanita Pack said:
Stacey
I never had the privlidge of meeting your Mom but my husband and I as well as our church prayed for her for several years. She was a very courageous lady!!! Just keep those sweet memories you have of her in your heart and minds. I also wanted to say our daughter Carol Urban had surgery on September 17 for a tumor in her colon. I pray Carol will remain as courageous as your Mom was. May God continue to give you and your family peace and comfort. Stacey thank you, even in your time of great loss, for offering information for Carol and our family to deal with what we will have to do through.
October 01, 2007 at 12:11 am, Dan Burnett(Big Scary Grandpa) said:
Janet was truly one of the most beautiful people I have ever met. Both inside and outside. I will always remember that gorgeous smile, she touched so many people, and to the very end was more concerned about other people than herself. I will always try to be as good a grandparent to our grandchildren as she was. I will miss you.
October 01, 2007 at 1:54 pm, Enid Clouse said:
The previous eulogies say it all. Janet was a dear, sweet, courageous, talented and lovely woman. She fought the good fight, and lost the battle. She will be sorely missed, and long remembered.
October 02, 2007 at 7:32 am, Brenda Turcotte said:
Aunt Janet:
You will definitely be missed. You were always a great person inside and out. Always fighting for the underdog and doing with such grace with that warm heart of yours.
Love Brenda
October 04, 2007 at 8:43 pm, Rudy L.Turcotte said:
Dear Janet,
Thank you for the wonderful years spent
Together as Husband & Wife.
Also thank you for giving me 2 wonderful
Daughters.
The ANGELS are waiting for you & God Bless YOU
Rudy L. Turcotte
October 05, 2007 at 4:36 pm, Phil Powell said:
I am an employee at Rip’s and knew Janet only as one of the nicest and friendliest people i ever met. No matter the pain she was in she always had a smile on her face and a kind word to brighten my day. I will miss her and my deepest condolences to her family. Sincerely, Phil Powell
October 08, 2007 at 10:20 pm, Sheri Wilcox said:
Janet was my mother’s dearest friend for over thirty years. I remember as a little girl thinking Janet was so beautiful, and now as an adult, I can more deeply appreciate just how beautiful she was inside and out. She exuded light, warmth, kindness, and a love for life. Her courage, grace, strength, sense of humor in the darkest of times, and her determination to help others was truly inspirational. I know she will be deeply missed by so many people whose lives she touched in such a profound way. My heart goes out to her family and please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this sad time. I will always think of Janet with her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes, and I feel blessed to have known such a special person.
October 14, 2007 at 5:36 pm, Kate Hogan said:
I knew Janet since 1998 when I helped unload all of Trudy’s things into one of the Washington College dorms. As I grew to know and love Trudy, I also grew to know and love her Mom. I participated in the Scope it Out 5K with her in DC in 2005. It was so great to see her complete the 5K and know we all raised money for a good cause. Janet will truly be missed
October 21, 2007 at 6:26 pm, Caroline Gassler said:
Aunt Janet your passion to live is something we should remember everyday. Saturday morning’s I will think of you making dodo’s, drinking coffee and heat sealing saddle towels. We will cherish you forever.
October 25, 2007 at 1:37 pm, Connie Chapa said:
I am completely devastated. Janet was the first person who befriended me when I moved here from the midwest twelve years ago. I did not even get a chance to speak with her before I lost my friend. Stacey & Trudy, I am so very sorry for your lost.
November 09, 2007 at 11:01 pm, Jan Mattingly said:
I went to Paris with Janet & Valerie in the spring of 2006. We had a fantastic “girls get away”. We celebrated her birthday at a fancy restaurant and all the French waiters sang Happy Birthday to her with lots of candles and sparklers and cheering for her. She smiled and cried and she was so happy. We took a beautiful boat ride on the Seine River. She kept up with us thru the museums, the walking, the shopping, the underground trains and you would have never know she was ill. I can’t believe she is gone. I just heard the news. All 3 of us were dental hygienists as well and I met her years ago thru Valerie in Annapolis. My sincere sympathy goes out to her family who she spoke so fondly of. She loved being a mom & grandmother! She will be missed. Sadly, Jan Mattingly
January 03, 2008 at 5:05 pm, Kellie Clements said:
I only had the chance to meet her briefly but WOW, what a woman! I know she was exceptional because of the parts of her that live on through her family. They are all fantstic people and we are lucky to know them. She will be truly missed by all those who were blessed enough to have met her.