Early CFM PR Staffer Dies

Janelle Schaefer Sleeper swinging through life at a family gathering in December 2007.
Janelle and husband, Jeff (right), take their boys Cameron and Bryson to greet Santa in December 2007.	A family outing in 2007.

February 29, 2008 – One of CFM's earliest and most popular public relations associates, Janelle Schaefer Sleeper, died February 26, 2008 from cancer at age 43.

CFM began offering strategic communications services one year after the company formed in 1990. Janelle was part of the firm's original PR team that worked under the leadership of CFM Partner Pat McCormick.

"Her energy and constant good cheer made her a favorite of CFM's earliest communications clients," says McCormick.

According to her obituary in The Columbian, "Janelle radiated love through her faith and her work and time spent with family and friends. She was always ready with words of encouragement and hope. Even in her struggle with cancer, Janelle was brave and strong and had a smile for anyone visiting her."

Janelle was born July 1, 1964 in Vancouver, Washington to Bob and Sally Schaefer, the youngest of their three children. She was raised in Vancouver and graduated from Fort Vancouver High School, attended Washington State University and graduated from Willamette University.

Following CFM, Janelle worked for many years with the Vancouver-based HOSTS (Help One Student To Succeed) Learning, promoting the benefits of mentoring students. More recently, after her two sons were born, she had her own consulting business in public relations known as JKS Consulting.

A wonderful description of Janelle was posted on The Columbian’s obituary page by colleagues of hers in the education profession – Dan & Norma Hunt of Fort Myers, Florida: “Janelle was a dear friend who always had an encouraging and uplifting greeting and a sparkling smile whenever we met. The whole room lit up every time she walked in, she was the brightest light we ever met. Being her friend and colleague was an honor and a privilege.”

Janelle died peacefully at home with her family at her side, including her two young sons, Bryson and Cameron.