SOUTH PORTLAND- Jane Louise Napolitano, age 59, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer, on September 1, 2018. She was born on October 13, 1958, in Portland, to the late Louis J. Napolitano and Mary Curran.
Janey graduated from Portland High School in the class of 1976. While at PHS, she was a gifted athlete in basketball and field hockey. After high school, she began work for the city of Portland in the Police Cadet Program and then performed fleet maintenance for the Portland Police Department vehicles. She also worked as a 911 police dispatcher. For a short time, Janey worked at L.L. Bean. For nearly 25 years, she worked daily as a cook for the Diocese of the Sisters of Mercy. In addition, Janey kept very busy with property maintenance and as a self-employed painter.
Janey could always be counted on by family and friends to perform any task needed, big or small, at just a moment’s notice. She was always willing to help out anyone in need and had the biggest heart. Whether it was house repairs, errands, caring for her nieces and nephews or the family pets, she was the first one to respond.
She enjoyed music, camping, fishing at the lake and bird watching. Janey never missed any of the family’s sporting events or special occasions. Janey loved to socialize with her countless devoted friends and above all else her family. She was active in the LGBTQ community. She was the life of the party! She loved a good time and future gatherings will not be the same without her. As a family friend recently said, “heaven will never be the same with Janey there.”
Janey is predeceased by her parents and brother in-law Joseph C. Cavallaro, Jr. She is survived by: brothers John Napolitano of Portland, Timothy Napolitano of So. Portland, Thomas Napolitano and wife Lisa of Burlington, MA and sisters Mary Cavallaro, Julie Gillies and husband Gene, all of So. Portland, Patricia Enman and husband Daniel of Westbrook, and Theresa Mitchell and husband Harold of So. Portland. She is survived by nieces and nephews: Amy and Matthew Cavallaro, Christina and Jennifer Gillies, Sam, Tony and Luca Napolitano, Vanessa Kinslow and Lisa Enman, Nicola and Eric Napolitano, Christopher Mitchell and great nieces and nephew Abby Cavallaro, Josephina and James Cavallaro. Janey is also survived by her “special nephew” Joshua Corbeau.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at New England Cancer Specialists, Gosnell Memorial Hospice and Dana Farber Cancer Center for their exceptional care and compassion. Also, a special thank you to Janey’s dear friends Tracey Corbeau Scala, Ellen Faulkner and cousin Patti Kilmartin for their time, support and care of Janey.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with a memorial service starting at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8 at the Maine Irish Heritage Center (formerly St. Dominic’s Church), 34 Gray St., Portland. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made in Jane’s name to the Maine Wildlife Park, 56 Game Farm Road, Gray, ME 04039.
Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com