Janice Marie Chaplin

1946 - 2023

Lewiston - Janice M. Chaplin, age 76, of Sabattus, passed away early Friday morning June 30th at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center with family at her side. She was born in Farmington, Maine on December 3, 1946, the second of seven children born to the late Everett and Barbara (Shultz) Rowe. Janice was educated in Auburn schools and worked hard her entire life. She proudly achieved her GED in 2012 after her retirement from Arrow Hart (Cooper Wiring Industries). Janice was not only an avid fan of stock car racing, it was in her blood. Battling with her sister, she became a top driver in the Powder Puff Division at Oxford Plains Speedway and was voted “Most Popular Driver” in 1980 and then won the championship in 1985. Later she enjoyed opportunities to travel the world visiting Australia, Europe and other countries abroad. “Aunt Janice” loved her extended family. She always attended birthdays, graduations, weddings, and family gatherings, making them a top priority, finding time to make those small moments mean the most. When she wasn't yard saleing or soaking up the sun on the pontoon boat with Yogi, her furry companion, she was at the race track rooting on her favorite drivers from the stands and pit side. She was very special to a lot of people and had a lot of special people in her life including the “Four Pack”. Recently, she’s enjoyed living on the lake with her daughter and in the company of family and friends. Always making the most of every day. “Ass in the water toes in the sand”, the daily phone call “check in" from her grandson Ryan, wishing her favorite drivers “good luck” in line up from the pits and “going for a ride” in the ‘55. She was a loving, devoted and hardworking mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her legacy will live on forever though all the lives she’s touched, though the photos, stories and laughs which will be forever shared. Family she left behind: daughters Kelly Laverdiere and her husband Richie of Sabattus and Kim Bourque and her husband Richard of West Gardiner; Step Daughter Angela Gammon of Benton. Her Grandchildren Jeremy Bourque, Ryan Bourque and Lysa McLemore and her husband Gerald; Connor Martin and Kaityn Martin; five brothers and sisters and many special nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, a sister and a brother at birth.

A funeral service will take place at The Fortin Group in AUBURN on Friday, July 21st at 1 PM. The family invites all of Janice’s family and friends to come celebrate her life with them following the service at her Grandson’s Home; 140 Pond Road, West Gardiner. Interment will be private and take place at a later date. To leave a message for the family in their online guestbook, please visit www.thefortingroupauburn.com

A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, 217 Turner St. AUBURN, 783-8545.