Janet 'Janie' Lynne (French) Pine, 77
Janet “Janie” Lynne (French) Pine, 77, of Kalispell, passed away Sept. 17, 2021, at The Lodge at Buffalo Hill Terrace after a 14-year battle with dementia.
Janie was born May 31, 1944 to Homer and Faire (Voran) French in Hutchinson, Kansas. Raised in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, Janie would go on to continue her education at Kansas State University receiving a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Janie would marry the love of her life, Stan Pine, in 1965 and the two would share a wonderful 55 years together and raise a beautiful family.
As she finished her college education, Janie and Stan traveled across Europe and England for three months mostly by train-hopping from country to country. Janie had a passion for teaching young minds as her career in education developed. She would teach elementary school in Enterprise, Kansas, for one year; in Denver for three years; and Chapter One in Kalispell for several more years. Her real passion was raising her family and spending time with friends. She was an avid participant within the local community, becoming the secretary for Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates; a hospice volunteer; a Make-A-Wish volunteer; and sang in the choir and Christmas programs at Canvas Church for 25 years.
Janie wasn’t limited to her career as she could often be found out kayaking, skiing, hiking, backpacking and biking the great outdoors. She would continue to travel the world again with Stan, trekking across Europe, Africa, Israel and Australia.
Janie was preceded in death by her father, Homer French; mother, Faire (Voran) French; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Mary Kay French; brother, Steve French; and grandson, Tanner Pine.
She is survived by her husband, Stan Pine; daughter, Stephanie Girardot and her husband David; son, Travis Pine; and grandchildren, Gabrielle, Trinity and Olivia Pine, and Abigail, Colter and Dawson Girardot.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Oct. 2, at 11 a.m. at Canvas Church. Memorials are suggested to be contributed to Hope Pregnancy Ministries, Immanuel Lutheran Communities and Canvas Church.
Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.