Janet Lewis

Ledyard — It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Janet M. Lewis on March 7, 2023, at the age of 85. She was born in 1937, daughter to E. Norman and Elsie Maxwell of West Hartford.

At the age of 15, Janet met a young man in the local library who would become her best friend and lifelong love for over 60 years. In June of 1958, she married Frederick J. Lewis who preceded her in death August of 2018.

Janet graduated from Willimantic State Teachers College (ECSU) setting the foundation for her true calling, educating young minds. Her disciplined and organized approach to life established the groundwork for the future success of a number of her young students. Janet began as a kindergarten teacher at Renbrook School in West Hartford. In the early 2000s, Janet joined Precious Memories Preschool of Sandy Hollow, Groton, teaching the 4-year-old classroom until her retirement near the age of 80. “Miss Janet” was a highly sought after teacher and is still fondly remembered by past students to this day.

Janet was an avid reader, enjoyed weekly crossword puzzles, horse racing and

Red Sox games. She and Fred would embark on annual visits to their favorite places including Disneyworld and Cape Cod, Mass.

Battling what she knew was an incurable cancer, Janet was torn between leaving her loving family and joining the love of her life in eternity. With stoic determination, she met her recent goals of attending the first wedding of a grandchild and experiencing the joy of holding her first born great-grandson.

In addition to her parents and husband, Janet was also preceded in death by her three sisters, Elsie LaJoy, Doris McCabe and Althea Carter. Janet is survived by her three children and their spouses: Deborah L. Brown (David), Frederick (Rick) J, Lewis Jr. (Alison) and Michael M. Lewis (Melanie). She is also the loving and devoted grandmother to six grandchildren: Kyle Lewis, Amanda Patterson, Mackenzie Lewis, David Brown, Emily Lewis, Robert Lewis; and to her great-grandson, Phineas Patterson.

Private services will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society in Janet’s honor.