Obituary of Janet Hyer

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Janet Hyer on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 in Toronto. She is predeceased by her parents, Ruth (née Fisher) & Roy Hyer, and by her brother, Norman.

Born in Lachine, Quebec, Janet lived in Wichita, Kansas as a young child due to her father’s job, moving to Edmonton, then Ottawa, and to Toronto to pursue graduate studies. She attended Ottawa’s Nepean High School and Carleton University, and earned a PhD in 2007 in political science from the University of Toronto. She spent several years working with the Centre for Russian and East European Studies (now the Centre for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at the Munk School for Global Affairs & Public Policy) and more recently with the Research Office in the Faculty of Medicine at U of T.

Janet was kind, had a wicked sense of humour and a laugh that often exploded out of her. She will be dearly missed by her many friends & colleagues, her nephew, and her cousins in Ottawa and British Columbia, and by Remy, a beautiful orange cat. Heartfelt thanks to the neighbours, friends, and caregivers who comforted and helped Janet, took her on trips & outings, and did their best to lend a hand and a shoulder when & where they could. 

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Janet’s life will take place at a later date. At Janet’s request, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Janet’s preferred organizations: Amnesty International (Canadian Section) or the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.