BELFAST- Janet H. Page
September 14, 1942 - March 1, 2025
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, and grammie Janet H. Page, on March 1, 2025, at 82 years of age.
Born in Cooperstown, NY, Janet grew up in Bainbridge, NY. She graduated from SUNY Geneseo in 1964 with a Bachelor's Degree. Janet was a Special Education Teacher for many years. She met the love of her life, Dick, in Hawaii, and they were married for 59 years.
Janet met Dick when he was an Army Lieutenant, stationed at Schofield Barracks. They spent the next 20 years building a family and moving around the United States. As a dedicated Army wife, Janet made homes in all of the following places: Salem, MA, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN, New Orleans, LA, Belfast, ME, Washington DC, Fort Leavenworth, KS, White Sands Missile Range, NM, and Monterey, CA. Upon Dick’s retirement, while in Monterey, California, the family relocated to the east coast to be near extended family. While in NJ, Janet taught Special Education at a public middle and high school. She finished her professional career at the independent Winston School in Short Hills, NJ.
In addition to family and work, Janet made time to pursue her interests. She was an avid Girl Scout Leader and district Girl Scout Cookie Chairwoman and an artist in many mediums: toll painting, watercolors, knitting, sewing, flower arranging, and basket weaving. Janet also served as a youth group leader at the Lower Valley Presbyterian Church in Califon, NJ.
Janet and Dick retired to Belfast, Maine in 1996. Moving into the house built by the family in 1909, as the third generation to do so. Janet continued to run her home-based business JHP Creations, transitioning from selling her art to teaching others how to weave baskets. She was an avid cook and baker. Janet was a strict recipe follower. She enjoyed gathering new recipes as well as using and sharing family recipes. Janet passed her family recipes on to her children as they moved away from home.
Janet was an active member of the local PEO Chapter C, a sisterhood of women who are purposeful and passionate about celebrating, supporting and motivating women. They help women around the world advance through education. As a champion of children’s literacy and young readers, Janet was a Board Member of the Belfast Free Library. Children who received gifts from Janet, always received a book and a toy. Janet knitted hats and mittens each year for the Belfast Rotary Club 100 Fund, established to provide Christmas for at least 100 local children annually. Janet spent more time with her flowers and gardens, including joining the Belfast Garden Club, which allowed her to expand her horticultural knowledge and impart it to others.
Janet was predeceased by her mother and father, Ruth H. Hayes and Maurice G. Hayes of Bainbridge, NY, and her brother John C. Hayes of Berlin, PA.
Janet leaves behind, her husband, Dick Page, her children Jennifer Freund (Eric) of Mechanic Falls, ME, Heather Kelley (Dan) of Westbrook, ME, and Geoffrey Page (Carolyn Knox) of Columbus, OH, her grandson Hudson Freund, and her siblings Robert M. Hayes (Maura) of Palombaro, Italy, Betty Sejersen (Mark) of Bainbridge, NY and her sister-in-law Karen Hayes of Berlin, PA. Janet is also survived by her beloved nieces, nephew, grandnieces, grandnephews; as well as many of her 23 first cousins.
The family is planning several gatherings over the next few months to celebrate Janet, please reach out to them with any questions. In place of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Janet’s memory to:
-The Janet H. Page Scholarship; checks made out to PEO Chapter C, 89 Dockside Lane, Belfast, ME 04915
-The Belfast Free Library for children's books, 106 High Street, Belfast, ME 04915
-The Belfast Rotary Club 100 Fund, P.O. Box 74, Belfast, ME 04915
Janet will be deeply missed and forever remembered as the best wife, mom and grammie we could ever have wished for: smart, tough, kind, hardworking, funny, stubborn, independent, loving, giving and strong enough to make us much of the same. Rest in peace, our dear wife, mother, and grandmother.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, www.mainefuneral.com