Obituary of Janet McNamara

A Tribute to Janet McNamara– A Courageous Master of the Great Work ~Written by Diane Dondero, with contributions from Nancy Bridenthal, Jackie Smith, and Janet’s sister, Gail The spirit of our beloved sister, friend and comrade in the Great Work, Janet McNamara, called her home in the morning hours of Friday, March 30, 2018. Janet was in palliative care at the Olympia Transitional Rehab. Janet always referred to herself as a tomboy. “We called her Mickey. After three girls, our dad said this one we’re calling Michael and Janet Micil was born. She was at the heart of the family of seven: three older sisters – a sister and two brothers younger. Growing up with her enviable raven black hair, porcelain white skin, blue eyes and natural blush on her cheeks, she mastered all that was of interest to her. Mick was queen of the hula hoop, a champion Yoyoist, as well as a winner at jumping rope and other kids’ games. While I was pulling weeds in the garden, Mick was climbing a tree!” Janet moved from her childhood home in New Hampshire, where her family spent summers on the beach at Cape Cod, to California and later in life to San Francisco where she established a career with UPS. Upon learning about Ramtha in the late 80’s, she promptly packed and headed north to be a part of the formative years of Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment in Yelm, Washington. A brilliant and passionate student, her UPS skills served well at Mail Unlimited where she worked in the first Master’s business to grace our rural one-stop-light town. Consequently, she was at the hub of student activity outside the school. She helped find accommodations for many students arriving to attend classes, and she was a source of information about Ramtha students’ services, the town, the school, lodging at the Master Center and Ramtha’s teachings during these chaotic and wonderful early years. In 1991 Janet was given the opportunity to work at Ramtha’s School of Enlightenment in the maintenance dept. “We became best friends. She loved good beer, wine, fishing, and adventuring. After work, we could be found down by the river fishing for salmon. She often caught more fish than I and loved to embellish our fishing stories with friends. We went camping on the coast, did our morning discipline walk on the beach and then fished from the rocks. Once we went deep sea fishing for halibut. I outdid her that day catching two fish to her one! We shared our catch with everyone who was not so lucky that day.” Janet became a familiar face working at the coffee bar where her congeniality greeted early morning coffee drinkers. Her love of the teachings never dimmed and she regularly attended events in person at the Ranch. She was also a regular at “Conversations with Miceal” and an avid researcher on the internet. She pursued the knowledge she gained in order to uncover the truth for herself. Janet’s vivid memory of her often lucid dreams embellished her capacity to penetrate deep into the quantum world of Ramtha’s teachings. Armed with personal truth, she shone a light for many on the deeper meanings in everyday events like politics, religion, alternative medicine, black projects and deep space enterprise. Janet never married, nor did she have children. She considered the students of Ramtha her family. The one area Janet struggled with, like most students, was in understanding self-love. That struggle became the ultimate internal conquest of her warrior spirit in her last days, which brought forth the remarkable in the lives of all who engaged her journey. “Janet could be irascible at times, cutting off friendships in the blink of an eye.” All who came to assist her held her in blue knowing that the outcome of her journey was hers to choose. When pain overcomes the body, it’s very difficult to not be victimized by it. But the pain Janet experienced couldn’t surmount her often dry and cynical humor or her capacity to reflect within on all she observed. Janet remained lucid and engaging until her final week of life. Janet’s convalescence was short and very intense. Coughing and unable to breathe, she entered the emergency room at St. Peter’s Hospital one morning in late November. Little did she know she would not return home again. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given 10 days to live. She was moved to Sequoia Assisted Living under hospice palliative care where she mockingly declared to visitors that she was dying. “I watched that attitude become quieted by the continuous outpouring of affection and love from those who visited.” They lined up to take her to the Blu Room for daily sessions. Others gifted her online access to Ramtha events, brought her wine and good foodstuffs. She widened her view to accept any and all who came to see her. As her illness progressed, experienced caregivers and the compassionate volunteered, some who didn’t know her well at all. “When I first went to see Janet at Sequoia, I was struck by the outpouring of love from so many people who sacrificed their time and resources to support her every need. It was unprecedented. She had her computer hooked up to the TV! We shared wine, organic cheese, bread and my fermented salt pickles on more than one occasion, and watched Ramtha’s teachings. ‘You are loved by so many people Janet.’ Janet proceeded to tell me about a dream she had in which she plowed up Holland. She said Holland meant holy land. Her god cautioned her to not go there as it would be digging up the poison. Janet willfully resolved to just do it. “The following week Janet called me. What did I think of the dream? I told her of my experience in C&E; I found her near the big tree outside the old coffee bar. You have already done this Janet. You weren’t supposed to plow up Holland again. Clearly, it was another timeline, one she had decided to engage again. I reminded her of what our teacher has said about the power and courage of those who take on the choice to overcome. We can either do it now, or later. While helping Janet change I noticed her missing breast and later learned she had conquered breast cancer in 2007.” Janet was never alone. People dropped in to say hello or stayed for hours at a time to keep her company. Their persistence was remarked upon by both The Emilie Gramelin Pavilion staff where Janet went for radiation treatments, and by staff at Olympia Transitional and Rehab. “These folks were shocked to learn just prior to Janet’s passing that her care was all given freely. We were an anomaly to staff at both places. They all thought we were being paid to be there by some benevolent benefactor.” Janet’s journey profoundly affected each of us who helped her. And thanks to the courage and insight of one longtime friend, her family was finally notified. Within 3 days her brother Chip and older sister Gail were due to arrive at the Rehab. My phone rang that afternoon. “Can you come stay the night with me?” I didn’t hesitate in my reply. I knew I brought to the experience the gift of a mother’s love. Having had 4 children of my own, I recognized a distress call when I heard it. I arrived in the afternoon to meet the family and relieve the previous volunteer. As the visit progressed I came to understand that Janet had feared seeing her family largely because she didn’t want to offend them. At this point in her journey, she was easily confused. “Was I snappy with them?” In fact, this was the best thing that could have happened. Her relatives got to see the love and care being provided. Their minds were relieved to know the truth. “Do you think she will ever leave this place?” Janet is willful. Only she can determine what happens next. But, she IS under palliative care. Because I stayed the night, I was able to manage the visit to allow Janet time to rest. Her family was fully cooperative and helpful. Janet too, was profoundly affected by the outpouring of love. “I know Janet was able to resolve what it was that kept her from surrendering to the illness. I know she wanted a miracle and we all held that space for her. But I also know she had at last forgiven herself and loved herself enough to go forward into the future. I know she made it. That’s when she let go.” All of this activity had to be organized. Much gratitude has been and is expressed to Sara Foster who was first to take on the task, and Linda Powell and Sheri Yeager who saw it through. Janet passed from this plane on Good Friday and was heard laughing a couple of hours before she breathed her last breath. To life, Janet! “Learn to listen to the feeling within you. It will never forsake you – never. Go by the feeling that is in your uttermost being, entity, and let that be a lamp unto your night. It will always find your path, entity, right where you are.” —Ramtha Love Yourself Into Life Please leave memories of Janet or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.