Janet M. Bacastow

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Janet M. Bacastow,79, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Nov. 3, 2025, in Poughkeepsie, New York. A trailblazer in finance and education, Janet led a life marked by courage, intellect, and a deep commitment to those around her.

Born in Orange, New Jersey, Janet’s curiosity developed early. Spending time in the summers with her grandparents on an island in a New Hampshire lake, Janet heard and read many stories about travels and other cultures. She spent her formative years in Cape Elizabeth. She loved music, especially classical and opera, and was an oboist with Portland Junior Symphony. After graduating from Cape Elizabeth High School, Janet went on to Wellesley College where she collected many lifelong friends. Her academic journey continued at Stanford Business School, where she earned her MBA – an achievement that would launch her into the heart of Wall Street during a time when few women held positions in investment banking.

Janet began her career at Merrill Lynch in New York City and quickly distinguished herself. She built a successful career with a focus on the airline industry. Her work took her across the globe. When Merrill Lynch began to open new markets in Eastern Europe, Janet relocated to London. Her pioneering spirit led her to Moscow for a year with PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

In the early 2000s, Janet made a bold shift from finance to academia. She joined the London School of Economics (LSE), where she worked to implement a Master’s in Finance Program. Under her leadership, the program flourished. In 2016, she and colleagues initiated the first annual Women in Finance event at LSE. Janet became a beloved mentor to many students from around the world.

After retiring from LSE, Janet returned to New York and settled on her farm – a place that offered peace and reflection after decades of global engagement. There she continued to enjoy playing bridge, knitting and sharing stories with family and friends, new and old, often chatting late into the night. An avid reader, she belonged to several book clubs over the years.

Janet is survived by her sister, Kathryn Bacastow and brother-in-law, Peter Bearor, of Wolfeboro, N.H., and by several cousins. As well as by many friends. She was predeceased by her parents, “Muzz” and Louise Bacastow of Scarborough.

Throughout her life, Janet was an adventurer, teacher, world traveler and devoted friend. Her love for hiking remained strong; she often recalled fond memories of walking through the British countryside with close companions.

Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched – from boardrooms to classrooms – and through the enduring bonds she formed across continents. May her memory bring comfort and inspiration to all who knew her.

A remembrance gathering will be held at a later date.

Donations in Janet’s memory may be made to Wellesley College.