Janice I. Fitts

1937 – 2018

POLAND – Janice I. Fitts, 81, of Poland passed away on Nov. 11, 2018, at the Androscoggin Hospice House surrounded by the love and comfort of her family. Janice was joyfully born to Thomas W. and Josephine Avery (Strother) in Oxford, Maine on Oct. 9, 1937.

Originally from Oxford, Maine, Janice is an alumna of Oxford Schools and was a member of the graduating class of 1954.

Janice loved and cared for her six children as a homemaker before enjoying a successful career at the Poland and Raymond Fire Departments where she served as a 911 dispatcher. She also served at Emergency Management Agency, as well as Community Concepts where she assisted families and youth.

She was an active member of the community, serving as President of the Poland Chapter of the Ladies Axillary Fire Department, a CPR/First Aid instructor at the Red Cross, and was a member of the Poland Community Church. She enjoyed family vacations in Northern Maine to camp, fish and canoe, and spending winters at their Betmar Acres home located in Zephyrhills, Fla. She loved her family, career, dogs, and her community.

Janice met her husband, Ernest M. Fitts Jr., at the Oxford Roller Rink in May 1954 – a special day they celebrated every year, including apple blossoms picked by her husband, until his death in 2016. They were married on Aug. 12, 1954.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ernest Fitts Jr. of Poland; daughter, Sandra Salmonson of Poland; sister, Margaret Avery Violette of Lewiston; brothers, Walter (Joe) Avery and Thomas H. Avery, both of Oxford; and granddaughter, Anne Penney Pickett of North Carolina.

Janice will be forever remembered and loved by her children and grandchildren. She leaves behind four sons; Ernest M. III and wife Cindy of South Paris, Ronald D. and his fiancé Tracy Wheeler of South Paris, Richard D. and wife Colleen of South Paris, and James L. and wife Lori of North Carolina; a daughter, Kathy M. Goforth and her partner, Ron Ward, of Wayne; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Family and friends may call at Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 26 West Dwinal Street, Mechanic Falls from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23. A celebration of life will be held at the Vineyard Church, 90 Lewiston St., Mechanic Falls at 10 a.m. on Nov. 24, with interment to follow at Highland Cemetery depending on the weather.

Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that contributions

be made to:

The Multiple

Sclerosis Society

101A First Ave.

Waltham, MA 02451

in honor of her daughter Sandy who died

from this disease.