Janet Ellis

SOUTH PORTLAND – Janet Ellis passed away on Sept. 21, 2024, at her Assisted Living facility at the age of 89. She was born Janet Elaine Tomlinson in Fallsington, Pa. on Nov. 9, 1934, the youngest of three daughters born to Edward Croasdale and Elizabeth Black Tomlinson. Fallsington, located in historic Bucks County, has a rich history dating back to the days of William Penn and the founding of the State of Pennsylvania. She was a proud graduate of Pennsbury High School, class of 1952, where she played basketball, was a cheerleader and had a role in a play at school in her senior year.

In March of 1955, in her hometown, Janet met Bob Ellis, who was raised in South Portland and was a 1948 graduate of South Portland High School. Bob went on to graduate from Maine Maritime Academy in 1951 and sailed the world for four years before deciding it was time to get out and settle down. He left the Merchant Marine in Baltimore and got a job in Pennsylvania. This led to the fortuitous meeting between them when a mutual acquaintance was being visited in a local hospital. They connected right off the bat and their mutual adoration was almost immediate- they both said it was love at first sight. They traveled to Bob’s home state of Maine in 1995 for a Memorial Day visit and by the time they returned to Pennsylvania they were engaged. They married on Nov. 19, 1955, and were just five days shy of their 64th anniversary when Bob died.

Bob and Janet had three children, Steve, Robert Jr. (Bud) and Liz. Steve was born in Pennsylvania. In 1958 the family moved to Bergen County, NJ: first to Emerson, and shortly thereafter moved a few towns over and bought a house in Hillsdale. Her Hillsdale connection resulted in Janet serving as President of the Hillsdale Women’s Club. Bud and Liz were both born there, and in 1963 the family moved one town over to Woodcliff Lake. There, Bob quickly became involved in local politics. In Woodcliff Lake, he ran and won two races for town council and four times for mayor. Janet was right by his side in all aspects of life, including his political activities- she created fabled parties for electoral victories, where many townspeople came to the house for the victory bashes. She was very active in school activities, including the PTA, and it can truthfully be said she and Bob did not miss a school activity or sporting event any of the three kids ever participated in. She was also an accomplished gardener. Her family background involved some farming, and she created wonderful vegetable gardens in both New Jersey and Maine. In addition, she was an incredible cook and kept the growing family well sated with delicious meals and desserts throughout the years. Janet was absolutely devoted to her family and a very hands-on mother for all three kids- she was always there.

Bob was in his fourth term as mayor when he accepted a new job offer and they moved to Oakland, Maine in August 1981. They settled into an old farmhouse in Oakland. The property also had a parcel of waterfront land on East Pond. Bob worked until age eighty-eight when cancer forced him into retirement, and the two of them were also very active throughout the years in charitable endeavors. Janet would regularly prepare food for the homeless shelter, amongst other generous activities. They made some great friends around East Pond. During the 38 years they lived there, until Bob’s death, the house in Oakland, and the beach front cottage on East Pond, became a memorable destination for their own kids and later for grandchildren. Many a wonderful day and evening were spent lakeside with fabulous food prepared by Janet. Those years most certainly left indelible impressions on the minds of all the children and grandchildren who cherished these visits.

Janet was predeceased by her parents and her two sisters (Claire, known and Sissy, and Margaret, known as Minah). She is survived by her son Steve and wife Lori Ellis, their son Michael and his wife Jess, with their daughters Vivienne and Beatrice, and son Zachary; her son Bud and wife Laura Ellis, and their children Tommy, Clara and James; her daughter Liz and husband Dan Muehl, and their daughter Courtney and husband Jake Monroe, with children Finn and Brodie, daughter Delaney and husband Adam, and their daughter Kennedy, and their son Clayton.

Special thanks go out to the Assisted Living facility Janet lived in for nearly five years- The Landing at Cape Elizabeth, and to Beacon Hospice. The people who work for these two entities and who cared for Janet over the last nearly five years deserve an incredible amount of praise and thanks. The consensus upon her death was that Janet was an incredibly friendly and pleasant person. She was well loved by all who knew her.

She was buried at Bayview Cemetery in South Portland, next to Bob, in a graveside service with her entire family in attendance.

Anyone wishing to make a donation in Janet’s memory is urged to contribute to either of the two caregivers mentioned above who provided great care for her:

The Landing at Cape Elizabeth

78 Scott Dyer Road

Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107 or:

Beacon Hospice Care

52 Atlantic Place

Suite B-50

South Portland, ME 04106