Janet E. Robinson

BINGHAM – Janet E. Robinson, 101, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on Nov. 25, 2021, after a long and wonderful life. Janet’s family spent the last days and nights by her side.

Janet was born on Jan. 31, 1920 in Bingham, Maine in the house her father built that later became the rectory of the Catholic Church. She was the only daughter of James Harold and Kathleen (Fox) Doe. Growing up, Janet lived on a dairy farm in Bingham with her two brothers. She loved riding her horses, Rex and Ohio, saying she “could go where the boys couldn’t on their bikes”. She helped her father deliver milk in Bingham and north of Moscow, which is now Wyman Lake.

In 1937, Janet graduated from Bingham High School and then from Farmington Teachers College with a BS degree in Education. She taught Home Economics at Mexico High School for one year, and elementary level in the Forks and Caratunk for a short time before starting her true vocation as a caregiver for her in-laws, her mother, and aunt.

Janet married Gerald Forsythe before WWII. They lived in Delaware during the war, while Gerald shuttled planes to England and she worked in a department store. Janet returned to Bingham when her husband deployed to India. She worked dispensing ration tickets used to buy goods during the war. They had two children, Caryl, and Harold. Janet was widowed in 1967.

In 1969, Janet married Maynard Robinson, and welcomed four stepsons into her family. She was an amazing stepmother, providing guidance, love, support, and showing them how to be kind. Janet and Maynard enjoyed 25 years together. They were a perfect couple; she loved cooking and he really enjoyed eating her wonderful meals and desserts. They spent their days together enjoying the “woods roads” of Scott Paper, collecting firewood and watching for wild life. After retiring and moving out of town, they walked the old railroad track daily, enjoying the eagles, geese and ducks along the way. As grandchildren came into her life, she loved spending time with them. They have great memories of her love and attention to them, her toy basket, and endless cinnamon graham crackers! Her cooking was always the best of the occasion. “She had a quiet grace and modesty that made you feel you were the center of her world when you spoke with her.” At 93 years old, she was still backing her pickup into her garage!

Janet enjoyed reading, baking, walking, doing the daily crossword puzzle, gardening, family reunions, caning chairs, tole painting, and going on jaunts with Sis. She was a member of the Congregational Church in Bingham and belonged to the Church Circle. To all that knew Janet, to say she was the sweetest lady they ever met is no exaggeration!

Janet was predeceased by her parents; husbands; brothers Bob and George Doe, daughter Caryl and Dale Hunnewell and stepson Dan. She is survived by Harold and Jenelle Forsythe, Mark and Bernadine, Seth and Jorja, Nancy, Luke and Gloree Robinson; and grandchildren Kelly, Jodie, Jerrod, Justin, Nick, Tasha, Jason, Stacey, Angel, Jenifer, Carolyn, Jamie, Tony, Gavin, Kirk, Corey, Tony and their families; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and a special niece, Priscilla.

Janet’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff and residents at Redington Memorial Home for the love and attention given to Janet, helping her to feel at home for the past four years. Thank you also to those who visited her until Covid interrupted, and then continued to stay in touch with calls and notes.

There will be a family graveside service in the spring.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To leave a condolence for the family and to view the online obituary, please visit http://www.gibersonfuneralhome.com

If desired, donations in Janet’s memory can

be made to:

Bingham Congregational Church

P.O. Box 114

Bingham, ME 04920

Janet E. Robinson