Janice M. Leavitt

1926 – 2009

LEWISTON — Janice M. Leavitt, 83, of Lake Street, Auburn, died Friday, Aug. 14, at Central Maine Medical Center with her family at her side after a brief illness.

She was born in Boston, Mass., on April 27, 1926, the eldest daughter of the late Isadore and Bessie (Chasin) Miller. She graduated from high school and attended Boston University. Due to World War II, she left after two years and obtained a job at Liberty Mutual.

Janice married the love of her life, Arnold Leavitt, on Dec. 21, 1947. Together they raised their three daughters. Janice was a member of the Beth Abraham Synagogue in Auburn and also the Beth Abraham Sisterhood. She worked for voter registration for the city of Auburn.

She leaves her husband of 61 years, Arnold Leavitt, of Auburn; three daughters, Cheryl Worcester and her husband, Skip, of Bangor, Barda Leavitt and her husband, Richard Faucher, of Augusta, and Wendy Libby and her husband, Robert, of Brewer; two sisters, Eleanor Borr and her husband, Donald, of Onset, Mass., and Annette Sallet of Natick, Mass.; four grandchildren, Meisha Rice, Joseph Faucher, and Brandon and Bradley Libby; and two great-granddaughters, Juliana Whalen and Alanna Burgess.

Janice was the quintessential wife, mother, and grandmother. Family always came first and she took great pride in her family. She delighted in cooking, sewing, knitting, and making other crafts for her family members. Her presence will be greatly missed, but her wisdom, common sense, and insights will survive and provide great guidance to her family.