Born on Nov. 30, 1926, Pauline was the daughter of Hermenegilde and Fedora Drouin. She grew up in Biddeford, and attended Biddeford schools.
She married Paul A. Janson on Jan. 4, 1947, and worked various jobs in the community. During their courtship, they enjoyed dancing to the sounds of the big bands of the day on The Pier in Old Orchard Beach.
Pauline was an avid homemaker, baker, cook and seamstress who ironed everything – including underwear and bed sheets!
From 1958 to 1973, Paul and Pauline owned and operated Janson’s Jewelry on Main Street in Biddeford. After they closed the store, Pauline worked for the Journal Tribune in Biddeford.
As she departed work on election night in 1980, Pauline suffered a cerebral aneurysm that would change her life forever. Thanks to the skillful hands of Dr. Robert Klein and the dedicated staff at Maine Medical Center, Pauline was discharged after 108 days in the hospital, and received the gift of life for another 36 years.
Following the death of her husband in 1991, she lived on her own for many years at The Pines in Ocean Park. In 2003, she was accepted into the assisted living residency program at Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, since her husband was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. She resided at MVH until just a few days before her passing.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband of 44 years, former Saco Mayor Paul A. Janson; and two brothers, Charles Drouin and Raymond Drouin, FIC.
She is survived by: a sister, Theresa Valliere of Lewiston; three sons, Raymond Janson and wife Linda of Old Orchard Beach, Patrick Janson and wife Dianne of Old Orchard Beach, and Kenneth Janson and wife Laurie of Saco; grandchildren, Jennifer (JJ) Rogers and husband Darrin of Raymond, Jill Pettengill of Biddeford, and Jessica Janson and Jonathan Janson, both of Saco; step-grandchildren, Jennifer Corbeil and husband Daniel of Eliot, James Granger and wife Cynthia of Saco, Nicole Desjardins and husband Anthony of Dayton, and Joseph Voccia of Saco; and great-grandchildren, Eli Rogers, Gwen Rogers, Michael Granger, Louisa Colucci, Joshua Pettengill and Scarlet Desjardins.
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staffs of Maine Medical Center and Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough for their professional, dedicated and compassionate care given to Pauline in the last week.
Family and friends may call at Dennett, Craig & Pate Funeral Home, 365 Main St., Saco, from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13. A prayer service will conclude the calling hours. A graveside service will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, at Laurel Hill Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with her husband, Paul.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to: Maine Veterans’ Homes – Activity Fund for E-Unit Residential Care, 290 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074 (maineveteranshomes.org) for the outstanding care and wonderful living environment provided for Pauline for 13 / years.
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