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Author Janine O’Leary Cobb empowered women with information about menopause, providing them with resources and knowledge during a time when the topic was rarely discussed or understood. Her pioneering work in women’s health began after Christmas in 1985 when she wrote an eight-page letter about her personal struggle with menopause.
Early Life and Career
Janine Patricia O’Leary was born in Montreal on June 20, 1933. She was the second of five children for Jeanne Poulin and Edward Launce O’Leary. Ms. O’Leary Cobb grew up largely in Ottawa, and despite her intellectual abilities and a strong desire to pursue higher education, family finances were a barrier. She moved to Toronto, where she got a job in advertising and met her future husband, Jack Cobb.
Personal Life and Family
Jack Cobb and Janine O’Leary got married in 1957 and moved to Montreal three years later before the birth of their first child. Together, they raised five kids – Sarah, Larry, Peter, Julie and Adam. Ms. O’Leary Cobb completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology in night school over the span of a decade, before going on to do a master’s. She later taught at Concordia University and Vanier College, believing that educating others was her true calling.
A Pioneer in Women’s Health
After writing her eight-page letter about menopause, which she sent to about 10 friends, Janine O’Leary Cobb started her menopause newsletter, “A Friend Indeed.” Interest in her newsletter grew, and it was not long before she decided to leave her teaching position to write, edit and publish the newsletter full-time. In 1988, she wrote a book titled, “Understanding Menopause”, which was reprinted six times and led to speaking engagements with women’s groups across North America, Europe and Australia.
Later Years and Legacy
After a breast cancer diagnosis in the 1990s, Ms. O’Leary Cobb retired and sold her newsletter to the Winnipeg Women’s Health Collective. However, her passion for women’s health remained strong, leading her to serve on the board and as president of Breast Cancer Action Montreal. She passed away on Dec. 19, 2021, at the age of 92, leaving a rich legacy in women’s health behind.
Remembering Janine O’Leary Cobb
Janine O’Leary Cobb is fondly remembered as a pioneer in women’s health, a dedicated educator, and a loving mother and grandmother. Her work has empowered countless women with information about menopause, helping them navigate this phase of life with knowledge and dignity. Her contributions to women’s health continue to be cherished and celebrated.
