Janet “Janie” Lynne (French) Pine, 77, of Kalispell, died on September 17, 2021 at the Lodge at Buffalo Hill Terrace after a 14-year battle with dementia.
Janie was born on May 31, 1944 to French Homer and Faire (Voran) in Hutchinson, Kansas. Raised in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, Janie continued her education at Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Janie would marry the love of her life, Stan Pine, in 1965 and the two would share 55 years together and raise a beautiful family.
While finishing her university studies, Janie and Stan traveled through Europe and England for three months, mostly by train 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 a year; in Denver for three years; and Chapter One in Kalispell for several years. Her real passion was raising family and spending time with friends. She was a passionate participant in the local community, becoming the secretary of Glacier National Park Volunteer Associates; a palliative care volunteer; a Make-A-Wish volunteer; and sang in the choir and Christmas programs at Canvas Church for 25 years.
Janie was not limited to her career, as she was often discovered by kayaking, skiing, hiking, hiking and biking in the outdoors. She would continue to travel the world with Stan, touring Europe, Africa, Israel and Australia.
Janie was predeceased 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, Stéphanie 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 on Saturday, October 2 at 11 a.m. at Canvas Church. Memorials are suggested to be contributed to Hope Pregnancy Ministries, Emmanuel Lutheran Communities, and the Canvas Church.
Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence with the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory takes care of the family.
