Janis Foligno: A Special Spotlight on a Special Mother
“The time we had with her was incredible. She was an incredible woman, and I think she’s given me a lot of the values that I’m really proud of today. She’s just a fun-loving person. Cancer’s never going to take those things away. She was a warrior, she battled right to the end, didn’t want that to become her legacy.” – Nick Foligno talking about his mother, Janis.
Today is a special day for many of us out there. We are thrilled to post images of our mothers on various social media sites while praising the amount of effort and love our mothers encompassed while shaping the lives we now have. For some it’s a day of visiting and spoiling the one who spoiled us not strictly in physical objects but within a passion we’ll never fully comprehend because what they’ve done for us goes beyond our understanding.
For others it’s a day of remembrance. Engaging in conversations that summon back the emotional force and moral fortitude ingrained from the years of lead-by-example training. They might not physically be in our company, but they are very much alive in everything we do. The Foligno quote above is taken from the Janis Foligno Foundation website.
From all accounts, Janis Foligno is a perfect example of a loving devoted mother. She embraced, encouraged and visibly supported all of her children in the various activities they would partake in. Though hockey always seemed to be in her blood. Her uncle, Eddie Giacomin, was a two time All-Star goalie and Vezina Trophy Winner (1971) for the New York Rangers. (This is a pretty solid video to bring alive what Giacomin meant to New York City).
She married Mike Foligno, her high school sweetheart, who would go on to be the #3 overall pick in the 1979 draft. He had quite a successful career, playing in the NHL for 18 seasons that stretched across 4 teams, 3 with the Detroit Red Wings, 10 with the Buffalo Sabres, 4 with the Toronto Maple Leafs and finishing his last season with the Florida Panthers. They would go onto to have four children, Cara, Lisa, Marcus and Nick. You obviously know about Nick, who has played 3 seasons here with the Columbus Blue Jackets including this past season where he set career highs in Goals, Assists, Points, and Plus/Minus on his way to being not only an All-Star, but an All-Star Captain. Their other son, Marcus Foligno, is carving out his own NHL career as well, just finishing his 3rd full NHL season for the Sabres, where he also posted career highs in Goals and Points.
But Janis was more than what a game could be. In the spare time she squeaked out, Janis volunteered at numerous foundations, transcending above the bare requirements in each opportunity. She would volunteer at Meals on Wheels providing each person with more than just a meal with her companionship. She would also help raise funds for charities whether it was Walk for a Cure or Relay for Life and being a friend and contact for those struggling with Cancer. Janis exhibited every qualification for a lifetime achievement award for Mother of the Year.
Janis created the mold of high standards hockey parenting, holding down the fort while Mike was away for games assuring that everyone would be in their respected places on time. Whether it was being there for practice, games or for her kids, on and off the ice, Janis instilled non-stop caring and firm hard work ethic (among many other great traits) that continue to shine in her sons today.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, Janis would eventually pass away in 2009. Stuart Scott would better explain her experience with cancer when he spoke about his own cancer in his Jimmy V award speech at the 2014 ESPY’s, “When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and in the manner in which you live.” Based on that definition, Janis is still fully alive through the spirit of her sons as they continue to exemplify what it means to be a human being through the courageous and thoughtful way they live their lives.
In the end Mother’s Day is more than just giving thanks to the one you love, it’s another lesson your greatest teacher bestows upon you. Please watch this touching video from Jason Thom at Sportsnet
(If the video doesn’t automatically embed you can view it here – http://bcove.me/x33tdq2z )
To donate to the Janis Foligno Foundation please follow the link below