On the Life of Jana Wieder, z"l

22 October, 1949 – 9 October, 2020

Helping thousands of patients live better lives, supporting her family’s transition from post-Holocaust Europe to peace in Canada, and delighting in the academic and personal success of her daughter (Yolana Wassersug) were the hallmarks of Dr. Jana Wieder’s life. On October 9, much too early, Jana died, after a life filled with tremendous purpose. She will be missed.

Jana was born in 1949 in Znojmo, a small town in southern Czechoslovakia. Her parents, Emil and Helena Jockel, both Holocaust survivors, had experienced immeasurable loss and intense suffering. They encouraged Jana to study and take advantage of any opportunity to improve her life. When she was 18, Jana was working in Austria when the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia. Her parents urged her to remain there, but love for her family drew her home, and she returned to Czechoslovakia for her medical studies. Twelve years later, she immigrated to Canada, arriving in Toronto to establish a new life. Her English was rudimentary and her early years here were lonely and hard.

In 1984, Jana moved to Halifax where she established many deep and lasting friendships. She was particularly devoted to the local Jewish community and the congregation at Shaar Shalom Synagogue. She finally started to feel at home. When Yolana was born, Jana transitioned from her medical speciality to general practice, and started her work at Family Practice Associates. During her 30-year career as a family doctor and obstetrician, she guided her patients through the milestones of their lives. She delivered babies, offered advice and support to new parents, and helped innumerable patients manage chronic illnesses, overcome addictions, and live well. It was the whole patient she cared for—giving equal attention to mental health and physical wellness. Many of the babies she delivered grew up, and had children of their own who also became her patients. Jana had a deep, personal understanding of the challenges newcomers face in Canada, and she provided care and advice to the families of countless immigrants and refugees, going above and beyond what people expected from their doctor.

Her home was in the south end of Halifax and Point Pleasant Park was her refuge—a place for long walks and talks with her friends. She listened and watched the CBC and world news with passion; discussing political and social issues became a vital part of her life. She never took what Canada offered for granted. Among her patients and her friends, Jana was respected and known as an excellent listener, a source of clear and candid wisdom, and the best possible person to have around during a crisis or emergency. A meal of her favourite Czech dishes, provided to family and friends, was an added bonus.

About 20 years ago, Jana was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder that caused severe pain, yet she continued to work. Her illness gradually affected her lungs, and she developed interstitial lung disease. When she could no longer talk to her patients without coughing, it became clear that it was time for her to retire. She left her work reluctantly, and missed her patients deeply. She truly loved to practice medicine.

The only thing Jana loved more than her work was her family. After settling in Nova Scotia, she could assist her brother, Pavel Jockel, his wife Klara, and their two energetic sons, Tom and Dan, to settle in Halifax. They were as devoted to Jana as she was to them. The family began to grow with Yolana’s marriage to Sam Worthington and Tom’s marriage to Pimsiree Phromwong. Tom and Pimsiree’s little son, Henry, was a source of utter delight for Jana (“Bubby Jaja”). Her family was with her on a daily basis during her last few weeks.

Jana’s parents also immigrated to Halifax with support from Jana. Her mother, a former teacher, became a renowned Holocaust Educator. Both have predeceased Jana. Jana was buried on Friday, October 9, at the Shaar Shalom Cemetery. The family will continue sitting shiva at 5881 Spring Garden Road on October 13 and 14, welcoming visitors from 5:00-7:00 pm. Should you wish to honour Jana’s memory, these two causes were important to Jana: the Lung Association of Nova Scotia (ns.lung.ca) or the Atlantic Jewish Council’s fund for Holocaust Education (theajc.ca).