The mother of Eva Markvoort, the inspiration and star of the award-winning documentary 65RedRoses, passed away last week.
Brine passed away at home on June 12, with her husband Bill Markvoort and two children, Annie and Hunter, by her side. The New Westminster resident and former Surrey school principal was diagnosed with cancer in 2008, and despite a hard-fought battle she couldn’t overcome its hold.
“Janet Brine approached her death the same way she approached her life. With patience, curiosity, an open heart and a staunch refusal to be defeated,” read an email from the family to the Record.
Brine grew up with a love of the outdoors. She spent many summers camping and canoeing, and in the winters she and her family, including four brothers, would spend their Sundays skiing at Mount Baker. On the slopes is where Brine eventually met her husband, a ski patroller at Manning Park.
Brine and Markvoort were married on Galiano Island in 1980, and had their first child, a baby girl by the name of Eva, four years later. Shortly after, Eva was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, but Brine didn’t waver. She immersed herself in her daughter’s care, participating in CF fundraisers as well as 65RedRoses, a documentary about Eva and her journey with the disease, the email noted. (Eva passed away five years ago.)
Brine’s love of the outdoors continued throughout her entire life. She and Markvoort taught the kids to ski at Manning Park, took them hiking and canoeing, and on wilderness adventures on the Stikine River and more.
Brine began her career in education as a teacher. She was a vocal supporter of French Immersion, and taught in schools across the Lower Mainland before becoming a principal in Surrey.
Last year, the Record sat down with Brine and Markvoort as Markvoort was preparing for the GearUp4CF charity bike ride from Vancouver to Banff, to talk about Eva and her lasting legacy.
“She taught me not to sweat the small stuff. That's how she's affected people, not just me, but people around her – not to get bogged down by small, petty things in life that happen. Take a step back, look at the big picture and just to make sure that you have a purpose in your life,” Brine said.
A celebration of Brine’s life is planned for July 24, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Anvil Centre in New Westminster, 777 Columbia St. The family is requesting, in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
