Janet Hastings (Jan) passed away on June 25th at the age of 92 surrounded by family. She was born in Windsor, Ontario Canada on December 21, 1932 the middle child of Armand and Elizabeth (McArthur) Caza. As the only daughter, she was the apple of her father’s eye and loved attending baseball games with him. A dedicated student, she excelled in school and participated in diving and synchronized swimming which led to a life long love of the water.

Upon graduation she worked at the local Chrysler plant as a secretary for several years. During this time while enjoying get aways with friends her passion for travel began. She met the love of her life, the strapping Jack Hastings, in a pool hall in 1952 and married in 1953 marking the beginning of a nearly 70-year love story that bore 7 kids, 10 grandkids and 2 great grandkids. Not only did she give Jack the big family he always wanted, through her adventurous spirit and tireless work ethic she also filled the years with great adventures and wonderful memories. She created magical birthday and holiday traditions. Family and friends were eager to enjoy her holiday delights which included shrimp cocktail; pumpkin, apple and cherry pies; shortbread; mincemeat and butter tarts and her succulent gravy that accompanied the delicious, gigantic, holiday bird. Her home was open to all and she was a warm and welcoming host to everyone who sat at her table. 

Jan and Jack built their first home in Tecumseh, Ontario to raise their growing brood. A lovely new neighbourhood with many young families, it was an idyllic place for the family to thrive and for all to create lifelong friendships. She and Jack had an amazing group of friends who loved to socialize, celebrate the joys and support the sorrows of family life. 

While Jan loved being a wife and caring for her family, she had many interests that she pursued regularly – she was always busy and made the most of her day. Her house was surrounded with beautiful gardens and vases of fresh flowers regularly decorated the inside of her home. She had a designers’ eye and a flare for creating magical decorations for each holiday and special event. Jan was an avid golfer who routinely played in Florida, Michigan and Ontario leagues where she made many life-long friends. While modest, she was competitive and did enjoy the spoils of winning (a gift card or a glass bowl). And in her younger years, she participated in bowling leagues and card nights with her friends and family.

As a maker of memories and a catalyst for adventures, Jan embarked on family outings that allowed her children and grandchildren to grow as individuals and as a family. For many years she hosted a girls’ weekend in Las Vegas with her daughters where they enjoyed the sights and sounds of casino lobbies and many wonderous performers. Her grandchildren enjoyed many magical excursions to Disney World where they enjoyed hopping from one park to another, meeting Disney characters, experiencing dinners from around the world and splashing in pools with slides and lazy rivers. Disney came to be a special place for her family, so much so, that she, Jack and her entire family celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary there. Through and across those adventures, Jan instilled in her family her own view of life: to do what’s right even when it’s hard, to be true to oneself, and to make your own rules rather than follow those that have been set for you.

Janet was a woman of Catholic faith who rarely missed Sunday mass. Through her faith she led by example as a roadmap of how life should be lived. She gave of her time and talents as it was needed for family, friends and her community. She was generous with her hugs, and when embraced in her arms all was well. She will be missed dearly.

Janet is survived by her children Janice Hastings, Beth Case (Jim), MaryLynn Hastings, Huck Hastings (Susan), JoEllen Baldwin, Laurie Sullivan (Jeff) and Jack T. Hastings (Robin); her grandchildren John Siegrist, Stacey Sullivan (Jeff Varani), Sarah Brutschy (Lacey), Nick Hastings, Matthew Baldwin, Katie Case (Michael Walsh), Tori Lopus (Brendan), Mack Hastings, Dawson Hastings and Sean Hastings; and two great grandchildren, Mia and Laney Varani all of whom she loved so dearly. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Hastings; her son-in-law, Tim Baldwin; her brother, Jack Caza and her brother, Robert Caza.

Jan’s life will be celebrated with a Mass at St. Fabian Catholic Church: 32200 W. Twelve Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48334 at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 29th.

Friends and family are invited to gather afterwards for lunch at Steven Lelli’s Inn On the Green: 27925 Golf Pointe Boulevard, Farmington Hills, MI 48331.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be made to the American Cancer Society or the Canadian Cancer Society.