Janice (Atkins) Merrow

SOUTH PORTLAND – Janice Atkins Merrow, 82, of South Portland, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House on Feb. 25, 2025.

Janice was born on Nov. 5, 1942, in Brattleboro, Vt., to Clifford and Marion (Harris) Atkins. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1960.

Janice met her future husband, Roger Merrow, on a blind date in 1959. They were married in Brattleboro, Vt. in 1961 and had 63-plus wonderful years together. They started their life together in Hillsborough, N.H., where their first two daughters were born. They moved to South Portland in 1964, where their third daughter was born. They lived the remainder of their married life in their family home on Meeting House Hill.

She was a member of The First Congregational Church for many years. Janice’s whole life was centered on raising her family. She volunteered in the Roosevelt School library and was a Brownie troop leader. As was common in that era, Janice was a stay-at-home Mom. She fell naturally into the role of organizing the moms in the neighborhood to gather for coffee and fellowship, which created a close-knit community that remained in place for many decades.

After raising her children, Janice worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine, in customer service. She retired in 2001 after 20 years of service. Janice loved to travel. She traveled in the U.S., as well as to Europe several times to visit her brother and his family. Janice also enjoyed traveling on bus trips to New York City, N.Y. with her friends. Her retirement plans included lots of travel. When health conditions prevented her from traveling, she received great enjoyment following the travel adventures of her children and grandchildren.

Janice loved playing cards and games with her family and had attended weekly card sessions at the South Portland Community Center. She was an avid reader, loving books of all genres. Janice loved music and was a lifelong piano player. She loved theater, musicals in particular. Janice loved celebrating all holidays with her family. Christmastime was very special to her. She loved all things Christmas and never missed a Hallmark movie.

In her later years, chronic health problems limited her mobility. Spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought immense joy and light to her life. Janice instilled the virtues of kindness, joy, and integrity in her family. The family will carry her legacy forward with grateful hearts.

Janice is survived by her husband, Roger Merrow; her daughters Deborah Farr (husband Mitchell), of South Portland, Deanne “DeeDee” Sterling (husband Peter “Craig”) of East Waterboro, and Donna Jauregui (husband Martin) of Gorham. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Angela Jauregui, Matthew Farr (wife Katie Mee), Andrea Jauregui (husband Kristian Allen), Joshua Farr (wife Elizabeth), Jeremy Sterling, and Jameson Sterling; along with seven great-grandchildren, Andre’, Lucy, Quinn, Everly, Theo, Judith, and Iris.

Janice is survived by brothers Michael Atkins (wife Janet) and Stephen Atkins (wife Rita). She is also survived by extended family, including in-laws, an aunt, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She enjoyed a special relationship with her niece, Holly Merrow, who she thought of as a fourth daughter.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 4, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Hobb’s Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. Service will follow at 3 p.m.

To express condolences, please visit http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House or to Northern Light Home Care and Hospice.

Janice (Atkins) Merrow