Janet Topole

Janet Marie Topole (née Potvin), beloved daughter of Ernest L. Potvin and Lilyane D. Potvin (née Cote), was born on June 17, 1936, in Torrington, Connecticut, and peacefully passed away at her daughter’s home on March 24, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

Janet grew up in Lewiston, Maine, and attended local Catholic schools, graduating with the Class of 1954 from Saint Dominic Regional High School. In October 1956, Janet married Anthony Cimato of Brooklyn, New York, spending two years in Brooklyn while Anthony completed his naval service before returning to Lewiston to start a family.

Janet worked for the Maine State Department of Labor, Unemployment Insurance Office and Job Service for over 20 years, helping countless community members find fulfilling careers and educational opportunities through job placement and the TRA program. It was through this work that she later met and married her other love, Anton, in May of 1992.

While Janet’s professional achievements were commendable, she found her greatest joy as a homemaker, wife, and mother. She was passionate about cooking and took pride in her ability to create comforting and delicious meals for her family. For Janet, the kitchen wasn’t just a place to prepare food; it was the heart of her home and a space where she could express her love and creativity. Over the years, she amassed an impressive collection of cookbooks that she treasured, finding both relaxation and inspiration in their pages. She delighted in experimenting with flavors and techniques, always seeking to perfect her craft. Whether it was trying a new recipe or simply presenting a time-honored classic in a fresh and thoughtful way, Janet’s cooking brought joy not only to her family but to herself as well

Janet also shared a love for gardening with her husband Anton and their home was always beautifully decorated with vibrant fresh flowers which they also shared with friends and family. This generosity also extended to the fresh vegetables in their gardens as well as the many varieties of fruit growing on trees and vines throughout their property. As a ham radio operator, Janet enjoyed connecting with others and embarked on unforgettable travels with her husband to Slovenia, his home country, as well as Italy and other European destinations. She found joy in birdwatching, crocheting and playing cards each afternoon.

During the last year of her life, Janet found immense happiness in the presence of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her face would light up with joy whenever they were around, a testament to the deep love she held for her family. Janet’s radiant, beautiful blue eyes earned her many compliments, with friends and family often remarking that she had "Betty Davis eyes."

Janet leaves behind a loving family: her children, Nicholas Cimato and his partner Tianming Yao; Katherine Sirois and her husband Lyndon; Carrie Ray and her husband Mike; Alexandra Topole; and Anton Topole and his wife Sarah; her cherished grandchildren, Alexander Sirois and his wife Ranissa; Stephanie Shangraw and her husband Kyle; Gina Ray; Matthew Ray; Eric Topole and his wife Meredith ; Luke, Anton and Isaac Topole as well as her adored great-grandchildren, Sutton Sirois, Camden Sirois, Addison Finch, Hartleigh Finch, Elliot Shangraw, and Bowen Shangraw.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM on Tuesday, April 15th, followed by a Funeral Service at 12:15 at The Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner Street, Auburn. Burial will follow at in Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Rd., Augusta.