“Don’t take any of it for granted… breathe deeply, smile as wide as you can, say I LOVE YOU,” these were the sage words of wisdom shared by a former Bessbrook woman in the days before her untimely passing.
Janice Lorraine Hare – who originally hailed from Bessbrook, Co Armagh – moved to Perth Australia a number of years ago.
Following a shocking breast cancer diagnosis on the mouth of the Covid Pandemic in 2020, Janice sadly relapsed in 2025 and said her world had been “turned upside down”.
What is most striking about Janice’s character, was her incredible ability to see joy, light and love everywhere she turned.
In a powerful message to her friends and family on August 30, Janice wrote: “I don’t usually make posts like this but my world has turned upside in the last two months and its time to talk about it.
“It has also affected everyone in my world and they need support and love too.
“Five years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had surgery and make choices about treatment and began a journey of exploration that was all things amazing and wonderful and soul inspiring.
“Set against a background of global madness and research and restriction and uncovering truths that cant be unknown and sadness for keeping people apart from their connections.”
Janice took time off work and studied Kinesiology and sound healing… she said she was “healthy and happy” for five years and had “no regrets”.
She added: “Then everything went pear-shaped and I was told the the cancer was back. Two weeks later it got worse and I was discharged home with the Palliative Care Team to ‘get my affairs in order’.
“I’ve decided to start posting some things I didn’t share before. Not to get validation or a response but to share some of what its like.
“There’ll be good days and bad days (already are) and we’ll need help as things change. There’ll be happy pics and ugly-crying… swipe on by or pop in to say hello.”
Then in a heart-rending update on September 12, the devoted mother of two said: “This has been a hard week, a quick week, why is time flying by so fast?
“Dealing with panic sessions, the feeling like I’m being buried alive and can’t catch a breath.
“The feeling that I don’t have enough time left and the indescribable feeling that I can’t be here for any longer.
“Hard conversations and making decisions. Hanging out in the pure joy of being with people.”
She finished with those piercing words of advice, that we would all do well to remember: “Don’t take any of it for granted…..breathe deeply, smile as wide as you can , say I LOVE YOU.”
Janice passed away peacefully at Perth Hospital on September 17.
A death notice described her as the devoted mother of Erin (Connor) and Jacob, beloved Daughter of the late Billy and Sylvia Hare and treasured sister to Nigel, Anita (David) and Roger (Nicola).
A memorial to celebrate the life of Janice will take place on Sunday September 28, at her late home.
