Janis Ellen Whipple

On October 28th, 1947, an angel exited her heavenly home and made her earthbound journey to the loving family of Ken and Norma Whipple. Janis Ellen Whipple was her given name, and a beautiful little girl graced the lives of those she wrapped around her petite little fingers! Her loving brother Scott and sister Melanie were her anxious elder siblings waiting for little sister to finally arrive. They all loved and doted on this little angel God had so lovingly blessed them with!
She grew but not as other little children grew. She was unique with special needs and the inability to talk. A weak baby from birth, Janie's loving mommy spoon-fed her patiently and lovingly so nourishment could find its way to a healthier little girl.
She learned to walk which quickly turned into a steady run, loping like a deer with older siblings chasing ever so close. She would giggle and run even faster.
Cindy the baby of the family came along six years later much to everyone’s surprise and the family was complete living and loving for many, many years in Sugarhouse.
Janis was always a quiet, peaceful, and loving child, never outgrowing that beautiful quality so deep within her very soul. She was amazing. Those who knew her loved her.
Those who took care of her throughout her life in different programs, enjoyed her quiet demeanor always stating what joy she brought to those around her. I've heard that real superheroes live in the hearts of children fighting big battles. That speaks volumes because Janie fought big battles her whole life with the lack of being able to communicate. She has always been a superhero to those of us as she blossomed in the face of the many obstacles life handed her throughout the years.
She never fit in society's box but in her own space with her own simple ways of seeing the world in ways, most fail to notice. She loved good music and would sit for hours listening and humming along especially when dad played the organ. His most ardent admirer! By being who she was, she put something wonderful and special into this world that wasn't there before.
It's been said that every child deserves a champion, an adult who never gives up on them. Janis had many champions because she was a champion. People saw in her a life lived without guile. Her heart overflowed with love and was the kind of person everyone should strive to be like.
She bloomed in God's beautiful garden not as a damaged flower, but as one that was unique and different. Those are wonderful qualities to aspire to for us all. We her siblings and those who truly knew her can vouch for all this goodness that our Janis exuded every minute of her beautiful life. Janis left her mortal body on January 24th, 2022. Our perfect little angel has gone home. And so, to our dear perfect sister, we send you with our love and sadness. We will miss your goodness and all that you were and will now continue to share with those in heavenly realms. We are happy for you and the ability to now be free from your earthly struggles as you take flight into the heavens! The sadness is for us your siblings and those who knew you that such a perfect angel has left us for a season. Thank you for your example of goodness, love, and the true meaning of seeing the world without guile. We have been so taught! Love you our angel sister.
We want to thank the wonderful people at Columbus school and the Work Activity Center for your years of love and blessing our Janis with kindness and for treating her as the special one she is. You have set a beautiful example of Christlike love. Thank you to the West Jordan Care Center and hospice for your endless care these past few months. For being the heart of compassion and loving our sister as the angel she is. We know you expressed many times the love and enjoyment you felt when taking care of one of God's special ones. She indeed was special!! Thank you, thank you.
Funeral services will be on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Chapel, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road, Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held from 1:00 – 1:45, prior to the funeral service. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in the Garden of the Last Supper.