Happy Heavenly Birthday Janine..you are truly missed.

It’s a bit of a gut punch to think you’re not here celebrating your 52nd birthday with all of your friends and family. The pain is very present and brings up all kinds of feelings. Love so much Janine and miss you more than you know!

Happy heavenly birthday beautiful lady …love and miss you Mary Anne

Janine Dorsey was one of a kind. There was no one else like her.
Erin and Kelly, you already know that. You were so lucky to have a mom with such sass, smarts, snark and sappiness (when it came to cats). And yes, you were robbed of so many years, and that's a heartbreaking reality that is too hard to grasp at this moment.
Your mom sat across from me in the Tribune newsroom and she kinda scared me. She was an ultimate pro at multi-tasking -- frantically pounding away at the computer keys, immersed in editing or writing her column, calling one of you on the phone to make sure you were getting your homework done, brainstorming creative story ideas with a fellow TBOer, showing off a photo of one of you scoring at a recent Robinson flag football game and sniping at a colleague who had the nerve to reheat a fish dinner in the newsroom microwave. She was unstoppable and could move mountains. No matter how many balls she was juggling in the air, one thing we all knew: You two came first. And she did a helluva job.
My post-work friendship with Janine took off after the dark cloud of the 2016 election. She hastily called a Sunday meeting at your house of like-minded (and depressed) lost souls who didn't know where to turn and how to channel our grief. "Enough is enough," she told us. "Don't sit around and mope. Take some action!" And with that encouragement, I became a political activist for the first time in my life. Since I was no longer working as a journalist, I had the freedom to express my fear and anger, and to channel those feelings into something positive. I joined your mom on some marches, got involved in voter registration, canvassed for local and state candidates, and became an advocate for our battered side. She was the catalyst for me and others who needed that nudge. I will be forever grateful to her for helping unleash my voice and taking action to bring about change.
I still look for her funny posts on Facebook and her private messages (the kind that could get her kicked OFF Facebook!) during the four years we endured. And that video of her dancing for joy when the election was finally called last November is a treasure I hope you cherish forever. Pure happiness! 
For all of us who will miss Janine Dorsey as a friend, we know you will miss her a million times more as a mom. But you are forever tied to her, through your blood and through your genes, and she will live on through you. Don't ever forget that. As long as you live, her light cannot be extinguished.
Sending you love during this most difficult, dark time.

So sorry for your loss, as your Mom was such a vibrant neighbor on San Pedro and continued to be so when you moved a few blocks away. My daughter Kelley used to babysit you, so your Dad could focus on writing his book and she would always come home with stories about the cats. I was very surprised years later when she and her little dog would walk by (the dog was actually running to keep up). That little dog would bark at Mac (my golden retriever) and march into our yard like the owner. Mac would look at me and I told Janine that she must of told the dog the same thing she told you two - you can do anything you want to in life! You are very fortunate to have a wonderful mother like Janine. Your memories of her will be with you forever, and I know you both will continue to make her proud.

I met Janine about 2 years ago when Pete introduced her to me on my nightly walk ...from the very first minute meeting her I knew how special she was ....Pete had a smile on his face from ear to ear and was so proud to introduce your mom to me . She was truly one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met ...we walked together ,rode bikes and she had the same love of cats that I have so of course we hit it off ;) they would come by almost nightly to see my 2 new rescue kittens ...Pete told her she could enjoy her kittens from “my” place ...Janine was a such a sweet loving lady ...I’m so glad she had a part in my life ....short as it was ...I was blessed to have met her ....may you find peace knowing she will be forever watching over you ❤️

Janine and I were college roommates. She was a firecracker then as much as she was this year. Fiercely loyal and smart as a whip. Funny and strong. Wrote for our college paper the Oracle. We had so much fun. Then came marriage and kids. I moved around for my job. We always stayed in touch. She even came out and met me in Hawaii for an impromptu vacation. And helped me navigate the woes of politics in recent years. I can’t fathom her not being here to navigate the rest of life with me, though I know her legacy lives strong in her girls and in her friends. Until we meet again Janine, until we meet again..
Shauni Brooke

I met Janine at a Girl Scout meeting where we both thought we were signing up our then kindergarten daughters for a Daisy troop. Turns out the only way to join a troop was if Moms at the event volunteered to be leaders. Janine didn’t hesitate, because someone needed to take action. We were co-leaders for 5 years, until Kelly moved onto Coleman, a year ahead of the rest of the troop. Janine was 100% committed and she was there for every meeting, every field trip and every camping adventure (even in July)! From the night we met, I knew Janine was unapologetically opinionated, brilliant, funny, unfiltered, loyal and had a HUGE heart!!

Over the 16+ years I knew Janine, it was clear every day that she loved Erin and Kelly so completely that she would do anything for them. Whatever the situation called for- advocate, teacher, coach, cheerleader, motivator, or simply a loving mother. Her daughters were truly her heart and her legacy. She was beyond proud of their achievements and talents, understandably so because they are remarkable young women and have Janine’s best qualities. Erin and Kelly are independent, brilliant, authentic, confident women who are ready to take on the world. Janine prepared them well. As we all struggle to even comprehend this tragedy, the outpouring of love for Janine and her daughters is a testament to the incredible impact Janine had on the people close to her.

Erin and Kelly, I am so very sorry for the unexpected, tragic loss of your Mom and the pain you’re going through. Know that we are here if you need anything now or ever in the future. ❤️ Diane, Gary, Skyler and Reed

I’ve known Janine since I was 7 and she was 9. We lived in the same neighborhood and she was my sister’s best friend. I remember playing Barbies with her much to my sister’s chagrin. She was such a spirited, funny, independent women. I’m still in shock. I wanted to let you know how brave I thought she was by speaking her mind whenever she saw a wrong. Janine, you will be forever missed and her light will still shine on in her daughters. To Janine’s daughters, stay fierce. You are strong women and though your grief for your mother will never go away, I pray that your pain will be eased with time. Much love to all of Janine’s family and friends.

Erin and Kelly, when we first met, your mom and I did not hit it off right away because we were both sassy, salty, opinionated women in our mid-twenties. But once we warmed up to each other, those were the exact qualities that bonded us. We worked together for almost a decade at TBO and during that time we became friends who frequently ate lunch together (in the dreaded pink room and off campus), got into trouble together and socialized outside of work. Those of us who got past her tough-cookie exterior had the privilege of knowing the VIBRANT, hilarious, intelligent, generous, goofy, vulnerable, tender-hearted person who was a sucker for babies, animals and a social justice cause. Our JLo was a firecracker! She had an acerbic sense of humor, infectious energy and she didn't suffer fools. She was always up for anything from a costume party, to a walk in the neighborhood with strollers, to an impromptu celebration. I have so many photos and memories of our good times and in all of them we are laughing, because being with Janine was always fun. You girls were her utter pride and joy and I got to hold you both as babies and attend your birthday parties. When it was my turn to have kids, she hosted a baby shower for me and was one of the first people to visit in the hospital. And after I moved out of state we stayed in touch and hers was always the first Christmas card to arrive. She shared her joys and heartbreak over our emails and kept me abreast of your many achievements. Janine was a true Leo and when she was in your corner, she was fiercely loyal. So the thing I want you both to feel the most, is the love and support of all of us. I hope you know that you have an army of mamas who are behind you supporting you and looking out for you the way our friend would have done for any of us. ❤️

Erin and Kelly, your mother was an amazing woman. We enjoyed watching you grow up through your mother’s eyes. She was so proud of both of you and loved being your mother.
We loved your mother’s willingness to always speak her mind when there were injustices in the world. She knew the meaning of the word inclusion.
We won’t be able to eat strawberries, broccoli, potatoes, or peaches without thinking of her.
We had great times kayaking and will have memories that will last forever. Your mother will never be forgotten!
We loved her dearly, and we love you both. Tim and Erika