Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

SPRUCE HEAD ISLAND - Janet S. Godin, 65, died unexpectedly at Maine Medical Center in Portland from complications of heart surgery.

Born in Rockland, December 27, 1949, she was the daughter of Melton and Phyllis (Smith) Sturges. Educated locally she was a 1968 graduate of Rockland High School. A lover of animals her whole life, she had a special place in her heart for her horse ‘Silver’. As a young girl she enjoyed giving rides to the other children on the Island. Following high school, on August 28, 1971, Janet married her best-friend, soulmate and constant companion, Arnold Godin. Together they made their home on Spruce Head Island their entire married life. Janet was very proud of her home there, especially of the fact that she had moved five times, and stayed on the same family-owned property. She loved nothing more than to be sitting on her deck, overlooking the ocean, reading a good book, soaking in the sun, and breathing in the fresh salt air and wild roses.

Janet personified the word ‘homemaker’ and she lived for her family. When her children were young she took in other children, babysitting more than 20 different children over the years; and she was affectionately called ‘G-Peanut’. As her own children grew and their lives got more hectic, she loved providing a place for them and all of their friends to crash. Her door was always open, (as was her refrigerator) and she never turned anyone away. Her daughter said, the louder and more chaotic the house got, the happier her mom was.

When her grandchildren came along, Janet was content. They loving referred to her as ‘Mimi’ and they were her number one priority. She even said once, “that if she had known grandchildren were such fun, she would've had them first”. Her dry sense of humor and quick wit let everyone know she didn’t really mean it. Her infectious smile lit up any room, especially when she had a baby in her arms. Janet loved to get in the last word, and she usually did. She had a special way of cracking the right joke at just the right time. Her family said she kept their spirits up even when she was the one in the hospital.

Recently, Janet had worked as an Ed Tech at South School in Rockland. She took such joy in seeing the kids everyday and they loved seeing her on the playground or in the lunch room.

She was always active, whether crafting with her daughter, or going for walks with ‘The Girls’, or picking crab meat, Janet was never one to be idle. She will be sadly missed by all who loved her.

Predeceased by her parents, Melton and Phyllis Sturges, and her sister Carol Trout; Janet is survived by her husband of 44 years Arnold Godin of Spruce Head Island; her children Eric Godin and his wife Eileen of Shavertown, Pennsylvania, Kyle Godin of Spruce Head Island, Melody Godin and her companion Freeman Woodcock of South Thomaston; six grandchildren, Dylan Knowlton, Marina Godin, Connor Knowlton, Nicholas Godin, Hannah Woodcock and Madison Woodcock; also the father of two of her grandsons, Alan Knowlton; and many friends who she considered family.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland, where a celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 30, 2015. Interment will follow at Ocean View Cemetery, South Thomaston. The Reverend Wayne Sawyer will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may make memorial donations to the South Thomaston Fire Department Auxiliary, P.O. Box 147, South Thomaston, ME 04858.