PORTLAND – Janet R. Bearce, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 24, at Maine Medical Center after a brief illness.

She was born on June 23, 1917, in Lewiston, the first daughter of John F. Rollins and Ruby Buck Rollins of Auburn. She graduated from Edward Little High School in 1935, and attended Bliss Business College. She was married in 1940, to Laurence C. Bearce, her husband of 50 years. They lived in Portland and Higgins Beach for five years where she was a secretary at Pocahontas Fuel before moving to Auburn.

While in Auburn, she worked at her husband’s grocery store taking orders over the phone for deliveries and waiting on customers along with raising her family. She became widely known for her home-made donuts and English muffins.

In her mid-years, she was a member of the Fairlawn Golf Course and loved golfing. She also enjoyed Bridge and reading and was a member of the Woman’s Literary Union.

At home she was constantly knitting and made many sweaters for friends and family members. In her later years, she did volunteer work at Central Maine Medical Center and worked at Ward Bros. Clothing, both in Lewiston. Most of all she loved laying in the sun working on her suntan even at age 87.

She leaves her children, a son, Chan and his wife, Christine, of Gorham; a son, Stephen and his wife, Virginia, of Gray; a son, Doug, of Arundel; and two grandchildren, Greta, of Honolulu, Hawaii, and Corey, of Boston, Mass.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1990, her sister, Marcia, and her brother, Jack.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Springbrook Health Care Center for the care and comfort given to Janet during her stay there.