Cowley's / SaturDay October 12, 2019
Goodbye Janel
We knew this day was going to be difficult but we were all surrounded by friends and music, which certainly eased the pain of the passing of the band's sister, Janel Edelman.
She was a big part of the Free Beer family. As we collected pictures from this website for the memorial, you begin to realize how often she was there, how she would stride on to the dance floor, drop her coat and purse and with a big Janel smile point directly at you and demand your presence on the dance floor. Her smile, her laugh, her hair, her chutzpa were like no one elses and will sorely missed and never replicated.
The day started early as all the members of Free Beer pitched in to set up our gear at Cowley's before 11AM as not to disturb other memorials taking place there that afternoon. Janel's viewing and service were at the funeral home directly behind Cowley's. There were many many people inside but soon a gathering began outside in the parking lot. Yes, they were tailgating at Janel's funeral with her prerequisite Pudding Shots and Wild Turkey.
We knew everyone would be there because they had all saved this date for the annual Chili Cookoff, an annual event Janel may have liked more than Free Beer. Jim did a great eulogy during the service and we all made our way over to Cowley's. The place was packed during dinner and by 7:30PM Free Beer eased their way on to the stage. Taking the lead from the spirit of Janel, everyone ran to the dance floor and took her place. Each song seemed to remind us of Janel. Tears flowed. Beers flowed. But one thing for certain, the spirit of Janel Edelman flowed through Cowley's all night long. It was an evening that she would have really enjoyed. While we were all pushing back tears, it was one of the most joyful evenings we have experienced in a while. By just getting together with friends and having as great of a time as Janel always had ... it was the perfect sendoff to one of the greatest people we will ever know. She will be missed.
She was a big part of the Free Beer family. As we collected pictures from this website for the memorial, you begin to realize how often she was there, how she would stride on to the dance floor, drop her coat and purse and with a big Janel smile point directly at you and demand your presence on the dance floor. Her smile, her laugh, her hair, her chutzpa were like no one elses and will sorely missed and never replicated.
The day started early as all the members of Free Beer pitched in to set up our gear at Cowley's before 11AM as not to disturb other memorials taking place there that afternoon. Janel's viewing and service were at the funeral home directly behind Cowley's. There were many many people inside but soon a gathering began outside in the parking lot. Yes, they were tailgating at Janel's funeral with her prerequisite Pudding Shots and Wild Turkey.
We knew everyone would be there because they had all saved this date for the annual Chili Cookoff, an annual event Janel may have liked more than Free Beer. Jim did a great eulogy during the service and we all made our way over to Cowley's. The place was packed during dinner and by 7:30PM Free Beer eased their way on to the stage. Taking the lead from the spirit of Janel, everyone ran to the dance floor and took her place. Each song seemed to remind us of Janel. Tears flowed. Beers flowed. But one thing for certain, the spirit of Janel Edelman flowed through Cowley's all night long. It was an evening that she would have really enjoyed. While we were all pushing back tears, it was one of the most joyful evenings we have experienced in a while. By just getting together with friends and having as great of a time as Janel always had ... it was the perfect sendoff to one of the greatest people we will ever know. She will be missed.
