Janis Orenstein was a Canadian actress and singer who is best known for voicing Clarice, the love interest of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, in the 1964 animated TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She also appeared in several TV shows and movies, such as Festival, The Labyrinth, and The Forest Rangers. She had a long and successful career as a singer, studying at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the Julliard School in New York, and the Glyndebourne Festival Opera in England. She was also a mentor to other artists and a spiritual seeker who explored various questions of life and death. She died on December 30, 2010, at the age of 62, after a long battle with cancer.
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The Diagnosis and Treatment of Janis Orenstein’s Cancer
According to her obituary in The Globe and Mail, Janis Orenstein was diagnosed with oral cancer in the summer of 1994. She was a longtime smoker of cigars and pipes, which may have contributed to her condition. She underwent several surgeries and treatments to remove the tumor and prevent its spread, but they were not successful in curing her disease. She also suffered from other health complications, such as diabetes and kidney failure.
Despite her illness, Janis Orenstein did not give up on her passion for singing and performing. She continued to record albums and sing in concerts, even when she had to use a feeding tube and a wheelchair. She also maintained a positive and grateful attitude towards life, expressing her appreciation for her husband, friends, doctors, nurses, and caregivers. She said that her cancer was a “profound engagement” that was a “long, slow dance, a deep conversation, and a spiritual practice”.
The Final Days and Death of Janis Orenstein
In late 2010, Janis Orenstein’s condition worsened and she was admitted to a hospice in Milford, Ontario, where she spent her last days surrounded by her loved ones. She was aware that she had little time left and she accepted her fate with peace and dignity. She said that she had no regrets or unfinished business, and that she was happy with the person she had become. She also said that she was looking forward to meeting her deceased relatives and friends in the afterlife.
Janis Orenstein died on December 30, 2010, at 11:30 a.m., with her husband Aydin Sencan by her side. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in a lake near her home. She left behind her husband, her brother Frank, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She also left a legacy of music, art, and inspiration for generations of fans and admirers.
The Legacy and Memory of Janis Orenstein
Janis Orenstein is remembered as a talented and versatile actress and singer who brought joy and beauty to the world with her voice and her spirit. She is especially cherished for her role as Clarice in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which has become a classic and beloved Christmas special that is watched by millions of people every year. Her song “There’s Always Tomorrow” is a timeless message of hope and optimism that resonates with many listeners.
Janis Orenstein is also remembered as a kind and generous person who cared deeply for her family, friends, and fellow artists. She was a mentor, a teacher, a supporter, and a friend to many people who admired her talent and wisdom. She was also a seeker of truth and meaning, who explored various spiritual and philosophical questions and shared her insights and experiences with others.
Janis Orenstein’s life and death are an example of courage, grace, and joy in the face of adversity and suffering. She showed us how to live fully and authentically, how to love unconditionally and gratefully, and how to die peacefully and gracefully. She taught us that there is always tomorrow, and that there is always something to be thankful for. She will be missed, but never forgotten.
