Janet E Harris

On the 27th of May 1954, the first chapter of the Forbes family legacy was written when the beloved firstborn daughter of Headley and Carmen Forbes took her maiden breath at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston Jamaica. Janet Elizabeth arrived eleven (11) months to the date following her parent’s nuptials on June 27, 1953, bringing with her the promise of new adventures, boundless love, immeasurable joy, and a life story that would touch many hearts and impact countless. Miss Sarah, Carmen’s mother, lived in the Forbes home and played a key role in her upbringing, as well as that of the other four children in the house - Ian, Andrea, cousin Gail and Peter who would follow their ‘big sister’ to complete the family legacy.

At a very early age Janet realized that education was a non-negotiable in the Forbes family, and this very realization set her on a path to achieving great things academically and artistically. After completing her Primary School education at Central Branch primary in 1966, she won a scholarship to the Wolmer’s School for Girls and for the next five years continued to shine as an all-round student athlete. In addition to academics, she competed for Wolmer’s in both Netball and Track and Field, and after five years, enrolled at Mico Teacher’s College to pursue a career in teaching.

During these formative years another gift emerged – her love for music. Introduced to the piano at a young age, Janet was enrolled at the Ena Helps Music School where her talent flourished. Through a natural aptitude for music, she excelled and earned a Grade 8 certificate from the Royal School of Music, the second highest certificate at the time.

After graduating from Mico, Janet’s passion for educating young people brought her full circle to her alma mater Central Branch Primary to complete her teaching internship. She then embarked on her professional teaching journey at the Shortwood Practising school in 1974.

Never one to rest on her laurels, she enrolled at the University of the West Indies (UWI) in 1976 to pursue a Bachelor’s degree which she completed in 1979 with honors. While at UWI, she remained active in various musical organizations as a key singer with the University Singers and the Rukumbine Mento folk group, and as a member of the UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra where she played the steel drums.

It was during her time at UWI that Janet met and fell in love with another student named John Harris, who was studying at the United Theological College of the West Indies. After a three-year courtship, they married in July of 1979 and John was immediately stationed in Bamboo St. Ann, as the Pastor at the Lilyfield Baptist Church - Bamboo Circuit. As John settled into his new role, Janet accepted a teaching position at Ferncourt High School and served as the school’s Guidance Counselor and as an English Teacher for four years.

During her years as the Guidance Counselor at Ferncourt, Janet discovered yet another calling. Beyond teaching English, she found a more profound fulfillment in her other role as guidance counselor, counseling, uplifting and helping her students realize their own potential. Driven by this purpose, she applied to and was accepted in 1983 into the world renown Teacher’s College at Columbia University in New York to pursue two Master’s degrees in Vocational and Rehabilitation Counseling. On the strength of her brilliant first year academic performance, she was awarded a fellowship by the prestigious Organization of American States (OAS). Awarded to only 10 recipients worldwide at the time, this scholarship recognized her promise, leadership, and commitment to improving the lives of others.

For the next three decades, Janet dedicated her career to empowering individuals with disabilities as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the State of New York. Through her compassion, guidance, and unwavering belief in the potential of others, she helped transform countless lives. Her influence extended far beyond the walls of her office, so much so that years later, many of those she counseled would return simply to thank her for the opportunities she helped create, and the lasting difference she made in their lives.

As her career was drawing to a close, Janet began to face challenges that altered the course of her life. Following the loss of John in 2020, she was compelled to retire earlier than she had envisioned due to a series of significant health challenges. Despite these struggles, she met each one with remarkable resilience and hope. She faced every obstacle with courage and grit, drawing upon the strength, determination, and quiet dignity that had defined her since childhood.

Though not blessed with children of her own, Janet embraced the role of nurturer and mentor with extraordinary devotion. After the passing of her younger sister Andrea in 1994, she became a steady source of love, support, and encouragement for Andrea’s two daughters Samantha and Shannon, helping to shape their lives during a time of profound loss. She also played an instrumental role as ‘big sister’ to Ian, Andrea, Gail and Peter in her formative years in Jamaica, and in guiding her baby brother Peter through the uncertain years of early adulthood in New York.

Janet took her role as firstborn very seriously and would often issue a gentle reminder to her siblings that she came before them. She viewed these responsibilities not as obligations, but as callings. With wisdom and patience, she became a trusted mentor and steadfast presence in their lives, and in the lives of those she loved. In addition to Samantha and Shannon, Janet leaves to mourn four other nieces; Kimberley, Melissa, Gabrielle and Danielle, grand nieces Isabelle, Madelyn and Mia, grand nephew Noah, sister-in-law Lana, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.

In her retirement years, Janet found great joy in one of her lifelong passions: beautiful harmony and music. No group captured her heart quite like the Pentatonix, an A Cappella group from Texas. She would listen to them for hours at a time, indulging in their harmonious vocals and intricate arrangements, delighting in every note. To Janet, they were not merely talented, they were the greatest musical group ever assembled. Anyone bold enough to suggest otherwise was likely to receive a spirited objection, delivered with the conviction and confidence that only she could muster.

Janet's life was defined not by the challenges she faced, but by the lives she touched. Whether serving those with disabilities through her decades-long career, guiding family members through life's most difficult moments, or offering wisdom, encouragement, and unwavering support to those she loved, she left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her. She met adversity with resilience, embraced responsibility with grace, and approached life with compassion, determination, and a spirited sense of conviction.

Though she will be deeply missed, Janet's legacy lives on in the countless lives she shaped, the family she helped nurture, and the enduring memories she leaves behind. Her example reminds us that a life measured in kindness, service, and love is a life truly well lived. May her soul rest in peace.