Janice Ann Howe

AUGUSTA – Janice Ann Howe, 81, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2023, at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta. She was born Jan. 19, 1942, in Augusta to Forest P. and Mary L. (Pierce) Vigue.

Janice graduated from Cony High School in 1960 as the Salutatorian of her class. She was a three sport varsity athlete, excelling in field hockey, basketball, and softball. She also participated in the glee club and the all-state chorus. Her high school yearbook fittingly described Janice this way, “her shining eyes and pleasant ways brighten up any day.”

Janice worked at Central Maine Power for a few years after high school. It was at CMP where she met the love of her life Bob Howe. They married in 1964, and once they started a family, Janice became a full-time Mom and homemaker. Bob and Janice spent many special times together and were inseparable for their 58 years of marriage. They enjoyed day trips to Boothbay Harbor, Lincolnville, Camden, and Waldoboro; and hiking many of the Maine state parks.

Janice loved sports and never missed an athletic event her two sons were involved in. All the neighborhood kids loved playing in the backyard at her home; partly because they knew Janice had freeze pops and her famous homemade Kool-Aid popsicles waiting for them. Janice treated each of her son’s friends like they were her own.

Janice loved and supported her three grandchildren in all their endeavors. She was a fixture in the stands for her granddaughter’s Maine Maniac AAU basketball games and her Thornton Academy basketball and volleyball games. She enjoyed watching her two grandsons’ baseball games while keeping score on her notepad. The grandchildren cherished all the special times they spent with her, especially the holidays.

Volunteering was an integral and important part of Janice’s life. She served on the board of directors for the Capital Area Recreation Association (CARA) from 1979 to 2019, and received the prestigious Joe Linscott volunteer award in 2016. She also volunteered in the pharmacy at MaineGeneral Medical Center and served on the board of directors at Howell House.

Janice also enjoyed crossword puzzles, listening to talk radio, sending cards to relatives on special occasions, playing Words with Friends on her iPad, and her nightly bowl of ice cream. Her favorite treat was a pineapple milkshake with chocolate ice cream from Dairy Queen.

Janice was the heart and soul of our family and will be deeply missed.

Janice was predeceased by her parents: Forest and Mary Vigue; her brother Philip Vigue; and her brother-in-law Thomas Thornton.

She is survived by her husband Bob; her sons: Robert (Kim) Howe of West Hartford, Conn., and Stephen (Cheryl) Howe of Saco; grandchildren: Ashley (fiancé Connor Ramsey) of Alpharetta, Ga., Ryan Howe of West Hartford, Conn., and Kyle Howe of West Hartford, Conn.; sisters: Susan Thornton of Hallowell, and Patricia (partner Wendy Whittington) Vigue of Port St. John, Fla.; sister-in-law Betty Vigue; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Janice was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Augusta. Per her wishes, there will be no public service. Condolences, photos, and stories may be shared through the funeral home website at http://www.plummerfh.com.

Donations in Janice’s memory may be made to CARA, P.O. Box 5275, Augusta, ME, 04332-5275.