Formerly of Brunswick and Cundy’s Harbor, most recently residing in Pittsburgh, PA, Janet L. Gurney, age 71, died on Friday, May 29, 2015, after a three-year battle with lung cancer.

She was born in Brunswick, Maine, on Sept. 21, 1943, the daughter of Mattie Alexander Collins and Alton C.E. Collins Sr. She was a 1962 graduate of Brunswick High School.

Most recently, Ms. Gurney worked at Roger’s Ace Hardware in Bath, where she was a cashier and a front-end superstar meeting and greeting every customer with a smile and hug. Prior, she worked at Hyde School, and The Highlands. She was owner/operator of Topsham Carwash and Giggling Gull Laundromat. She worked over 30 years at J & J Cleaners in Brunswick.

She enjoyed her church family at First Baptist (Pastor Randy Kelloway), especially the ladies lunch gatherings. She was an active participant in the monthly luncheons for the Brunswick High Class of 62. Ms. Gurney was passionate about animals. She took great pride ensuring that the wildlife (birds, deer, raccoons) were fed. She was proud to be from Maine and enjoyed rides in the car, the ocean, and an occasional Fatboy burger with a frappe or a lobster roll. Janet was a people person, loved being around people and talking to people.

Dear mother to Richard Gurney (Kelly) of Pittsburgh, PA, stepmother to Barbara Thompson of San Diego, grandmother to Caleb Gurney of New Gloucester, sister to Richard Collins (Jane) of Harpswell, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded by death by husband, Wayne Thompson, brothers, Alton and Allen, and sisters Lovinia (Lane) and Naomi (Gordon), and stepdaughter, Karen Thompson. She will be sadly missed by many, but especially by her fur-kids, Kiki and Bubba (now residing in Pittsburgh, PA).

Memorial service and burial to take place later in fall (2015).

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Dean Snell Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 104, Brunswick, ME 04011 or Dean Snell Cancer Foundation, Five County Credit Union, P.O. Box 598, Bath, ME 04530.

Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home, 12 Federal St., Brunswick, where memorial condolences may be expressed at stetsonsfuneralhome.com.