It was family that brought Janice Markle and her husband Craig back to Huntsville.

After their second child was born in 2002, Markle realized that Canmore, Alberta, where they had been living for five years, was too far from home.

“We had good friends,” she explains, “but it’s not the same as having your mom come over. I wanted to be around family.”

Markle, who attended Pine Glen Public School and Huntsville High School and has a degree in psychology, has worked at a variety of jobs in the community, most recently at Soul Sistas Wellness Kitchen.

“I started a year ago last June and I love it,” she says. “People come in and they’re happy to be there. They’re happy to get a wholesome meal.”

Markle enjoys the people, the interaction and the fast, fun pace. “At times it can be hectic, but that goes with the job,” she says.

When asked what her job title is, Markle replies, “I’m the bossy soul sista.” She laughs. “There’s no official title. We all work pretty evenly doing whatever needs to get done.”

Of the new location at 79 Main St., Markle says, “It’s open, bright and cheery — definitely worth the walk down the street.”

She notes that since the move, Soul Sistas has seen an increase in customers, adding, “People see it as a full-service place to eat now.”

The rest of Markle’s life is just as fast-paced as her work at Soul Sistas.

For the past few years she has had a cleaning business and spent a lot of time with what she calls “special senior people.”

At the moment she has about six clients, some of them seniors. “With them, it’s cleaning plus lunch. I really enjoy it. They look forward to me coming, and they’re so thankful for both the work and the company.”

Markle’s involvement with seniors also goes beyond her business. She volunteers for two Muskoka Seniors luncheons every year, helping with serving, kitchen work, and anything else that needs to be done.

“And there are a couple of people I visit and take here and there,” she adds. “One I see three times a week. I write my schedule on her calendar each week so she knows where I am. I want to leave myself open for that kind of thing.”

Markle also has her own family to care for: she’s mother to Emily, 8, Nathan, 5, and Jared, born just last week.

“It’s a bit daunting to be starting over again with diapers and things,” she admitted during an interview last month, “but I’m sure it’ll be great.”

The family is active at Faith Baptist Church. “We go most Sundays, and often there are things going on after church,” she says, “plus I’m in a little Bible study.”

Markle can’t say enough about the numerous activities the church offers for children. “For example, in January, both kids started playing UPWARD basketball there,” she says.

When she finds herself with free time, Markle says, she enjoys socializing, baking, walking, doing projects like refinishing furniture and reading — “although there’s never really enough time for that.”

When asked about her hopes for the future, Markle reflected for a moment and replied, “I like the way things are going now. I hope they continue to go the way they are. After the baby’s born, I’ll go back to working at Soul Sistas part-time, being home for the kids, and cleaning. It may sound funny, but I just want things to stay the same.”

Markle says her family sometimes tells her she’s got too much going on in her life, but she enjoys it too much to give anything up.

“We’ll see what Child Number 3 does to slow me down,” she says with a laugh.

Is there someone you’d like to see profiled in this space? Please call Paula at 789-5541 or e-mail  pboon@metrolandnorthmedia.com.