Janie Rae Bailey-VanDevente

Janie Rae Bailey-VanDeventer passed away peacefully at 4:20 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2009. Although her life has seemed too short to many, those who were touched by Janie Rae, understand that the quality of her existence far exceeded the brief time in which it was lived.

Born on April 12, 1988, in Spokane, Wash., she was diagnosed with Down syndrome. She attended Spokane Guild School for three years in her early life and she was a pioneer for the integration of special education students to their neighborhood school in Spokane. She attended Priest Lake Elementary and went on to Priest River Junior High.

Mrs. Coralee Proctor wanted to say this about her “Janie Rae … was a leader in our junior high classroom. She had a special gift, the longer you knew her the deeper her ‘gift’ touched your heart. Her smile lit up the classroom with encouragement and love. She loved to help with getting snack ready and setting the table to look ‘pretty.’ Janie Rae would remind us to wait for everyone to be seated before eating our snack by saying, ‘Waiting.’ Once we were all seated she would nod her head and everyone would begin our snack time. She loved being able to go to other classes. Her caring, loving life touched many people. She knew when others needed comforted, she wanted everyone to be happy. Janie Rae would get picked up at the end of the day and wave goodbye and give us the sign for ‘I love you’ or blow us a kiss. Janie Rae we love you and will never forget you and all you gave us through your life.”

In the midst of her junior high career she transferred to Sacajawea Middle School in Spokane, where she achieved honor roll status and participated in basketball. Not only was she the main moral support through her mother’s cancer, she still could maintain such an honorary status at school. Upon her mother’s remission she returned to Priest River Lamanna High. She then attended Sandpoint High School for her junior and senior year, where she lived so her brother could ski race.

Survived by her parents, Sandy and Kevin VanDeventer; siblings, Joe Bailey, Jacob VanDeventer, and Vienna Bridges; grandparents, Jackie Haight, David and Irene Haight; and niece, Spencer Love Shaked.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Billy Joe Bailey; a cousin, Christopher Wemhoff; an uncle Raymond Pfiefer; and paternal grandparents, Dale and JoAnn VanDeventer.

Not only did she live life to the fullest, she taught so many the true meaning of unconditional love. Her love was an example that we will all strive to incorporate into our own lives. Her favorite things were her Barbies, videos of Barney, Super Nintendo and also swimming in her native Priest Lake. We know she will be looking down on those she loved and know that she helped to guide many people in a good direction when she walked this earth. If everyone could love with her capacity then the world would be a better place.

The family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and kind gestures. A memorial campout will be held from Friday, July 16, 2010, through Sunday, July 25, 2010, in Priest Lake, Idaho. The ashes of Janie Rae and her sister Billy Joe will be spread on Saturday, July 24, 2010. Family and friends are welcome to attend to participate in celebrating her life and memories that we all shared with who was, and truly is now, an angel.

Her family knows many people loved and will miss Janie, they will, too.