Janice M. Gilford

One day, somewhere around 1972, a boy named Mark Gilford went walleye fishing in the Maumee River with a guy named Rick Hall and his little sister Janice. Mark met his best friend and the love of his life that day and the rest is history. Mark’s first trip to the Upper Peninsula was on their honeymoon. Countless camping trips and boat rides on the islands of Lake Erie or the yearly shindigs floating down the Pine River with dozens of family, friends and soon to be friends which became the framework of a life well lived, well loved and well spent. Over the years, who can say they haven’t spent a Thanksgiving, a Christmas, a rocking New Year’s Eve or just a random night at Janice’s table? One and all were always welcome to a good meal, a cold beer, and a great story. Mark and Janice Gilford have shared that same table on Lakeside for over 40 years. Both born and raised in Point Place, they became the bedrock of a wonderful family. She was preceded in death by her father Dick and recently in March, her mother Margaret, Janice (lovingly known as Granny Janny) is survived by son Paul, wife Nicole and their children Brooklynn and Logan, son Kurt, wife Eli and their children Maddisyn, Luna, Brayden and Johnny along with son Cale and his boys Brantley, Matthew and Jordan. Today we wake up in a different world. A great light has gone out. The kind of light that made this place the best place any place. Janice is also survived by Point Place. Our bustling little village, full of the family friends and adopted children of Janice Gilford are here, holding each other in a colder shadow where her sunlight would usually shine. There isn’t a soul here that hasn’t been touched by her warmth. Doesn’t have a story or two where Janice didn’t affect that day or make us laugh or pause or say something that changed our lives. For those of us that were under her brilliant wing, there will never be a breeze or a storm when we can’t feel her. Never see an eagle take flight, another moment of peace enjoyed in front of a campfire and a majestic sunset, the barking of a black lab or the sound of gently lapping waves on Gard Island that doesn’t echo her name. Her laughter, her voice. Janice has nurtured and protected the hearts and spirits of countless souls on countless and precious occasions. She loved us without reason, cared for us without expectation and saved us from ourselves one little conversation at a time, just exactly when we needed it. I can still hear her voice. I know I always will. And to everyone who loved her, I know you do too. Because her love for us is forever. And to all the little ones that follow, we promise to tell you her stories so you will know that she loves you. So that you may wake up every day in a world where our friend and mother and sister and aunt and grandmother and eternally beloved wife will be keeping the lighthouse glowing when you lose your way.