Minerva Reading Group members were shocked to hear of the sudden death of one of our earliest members, Janet Millar, on June 8. An enthusiastic reader, she was our first ‘Northside’ member, joining in 1989, sharing her wit and wisdom with us in her Hackett home, and only leaving when she moved to Sydney in 2011. However, it’s once a Minervan always a Minervan, so Janet remained a member of our extended circle via email, Facebook and women’s weekends. We are devastated to lose her, for all the reasons shared below from her Minervan friends.
Our tributes …
All who knew Janet will be deeply saddened by her sudden death. She was such a generous, warm-hearted and funny person. We will all miss her. My thoughts are with her family at this very difficult time. Love,
Anne Daly
I remember some really fun times with Janet, in particular the women’s weekend at Kangaroo valley, and the one in Sydney when we stayed at her mum’s flat and went to the Korean massage place in Kings Cross! She was a real character – hearts break for her 3 boys. Sincere commiserations at this tragic loss.
Celeste
It was great to have Janet in our group. Her wit, wisdom and beautiful smile reman with us. I’ll always remember her passion when she deemed a book needed the red editing pen. She was lots of fun.
Deb Stevens
I only met Janet briefly as she left before I joined, and send my deep sympathy to her family. I heard a lot about her contribution and vibrant personality, and what a great mum she was to her three boys.
Denise
In a characteristic act of generosity, Janet invited me to join Minerva in the early 1990s, when I was relatively new to Canberra and had a limited social circle. She was one of the most generous and selfless people I have ever met: always loyal, supportive and interested. I was so lucky to count her as a friend, Our Sydney book group has been enlivened by her witty and wise commentary on literature and life – not to mention her regular calls for the Editor’s blue pencil! Vale Janet, you’re one of a kind. With love always, Gill x
I got to know Janet as our babies played together and then saw what a great editor and writer she was through her career. What a generous and lovely person she was! So happy as a mother, so happy in her move back to Sydney and new challenges. I am eternally grateful that she introduced me to the wonderful women of Minerva and their deep discussion of reading and books.
Helen O’Neil
I was always a little in awe of Janet. She was intelligent, knowledgeable, energetic, enthusiastic, hilarious, kind, friendly, creative, hard working and a terrific mum. How did one person manage to be all those things and more? Her passing is a huge loss. My thoughts are with Janet’s family in this hardest of times.
Janet S
I am devastated about this news for Janet’s family and for the world. I am deeply saddened as a friend. Janet was an absolute giant in so many ways, intellectually, creatively, in motherhood, in friendship, in realness and wit and beauty and insight – and so much more. I learned a good deal from Janet, was inspired by her easy ability to see things and to wrap those things up. Janet will be a voice that I will carry with me; I can wonder “what would Janet say”, and this provides a little comfort. Too special, too soon, too sad.
Jenny
As an early member of our reading group: extending us to the ‘north side’, Janet was always full of energy and cheek! Her house was bright and cheerful when she hosted, and everything was ‘Fab’! She will be sorely missed: love to the boys, family and friends.
Kate
One of our many shared “wimmins” weekends, this one at Tathra where Janet and I coined the word “shimmage” for the sheen on the sand on the retreating tide. Always such an electric charge when we came together as free spirits, often erupting into barely controlled hilarity, much to the annoyance of others. Away from family and work responsibilities, in nature. Pure love.
Marie
Janet injected her incisive wit and acute observations into our book group discussions and women’s weekends. I loved her humour and her unique voice. She always struck me as different and quirky and I admired that about her. I know how devoted she was to her family, and am deeply sorry they have lost Janet so suddenly, and too soon.
Paula
To the Divine Miss M
What joy and fun you brought to our reading group. Loved your subversive intelligence when it came to book talk and your generous warmth when it came to people. You will be so, so missed. It doesn’t bear thinking about. Go well, and vale, you fabulous person.
Sue T
Janet was full of life and laughter, she was thoughtful and eloquent and with her dry wit and sly delivery, always made me laugh. I would have loved to have known her better. I join the Minervans in sending my deepest sympathies to her family and all those who loved her.
Susan
Thanks to Janet for her wonderful contribution to our Bookclub conversations — so insightful and with a real depth to her perceptions and different way of seeing. Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.
Sylvia
Minerva Reads ACT 