STOCKTON SPRINGS - Janice Shute, of Stockton Springs, passed away July 24th, 2025.  She was born on December 22, 1936, in Belfast, Maine, the daughter of Erlon (Bud) and Louise Payson.  She graduated from Crosby High School in Belfast and married Melvin Shute of Stockton Springs in 1955.

Janice was an active member of the Stockton Community Church, where she was a Trustee and taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She attended Bible Study Classes at the First Baptist Church in Belfast, where she was baptized.  She was an active member of the Belfast Delta Kappa Gamma Epsilon Chapter and the Retired Teachers Association.  After her retirement, she worked on the Senior Citizen Monthly Luncheons at the Stockton Community Center. Janice was an instrumental member of a group of friends who worked diligently for several years to raise the funds to replace the steeple at the Stockton Springs Community Church.

Janice worked for MSAD #56 for almost 30 years, initially as a substitute teacher and aide, then, when she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Maine in Orono in 1977, she taught grades 3 and 6 in Stockton and Frankfort.  She loved teaching school and doing all of the extra things to make learning fun such as the annual Christmas Village, making home-made ice cream, picking apples, and hosting an annual pool party at her home.

When her boys were growing up, she was a Cub Scout Den Mother, active in the PTA, and involved in recreational events for the school and town.  She was an avid follower of the University of Maine Black Bears and the Red Sox.

Janice, “Grammy”, had wonderful memories of summer camping trips with her children and grandchildren.  She had great pride in the accomplishments of her sons and grandchildren.  She attended many of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s school and sporting events, travelling from Bucksport to Pennsylvania.

Janice is survived by her sons, Trent and his wife, Sandy, of Rome, ME, and Darren and his wife, Penni, of Stockton Springs, ME; grandchildren: Holly Weymouth and her husband, Ryan, of Stockton Springs and their son, Cody and daughters Zoey and Katy; Justin and his wife Megan of Belfast and their son, Jaiden and daughters Averie and Brooklyn ; Megan Bullock and her husband, Seth, of Brunswick and their sons Finley and Alden; Brian Shute and his wife, Shannon, of Burlington, MA and their daughter, Hailey and son Nathan; and Sarah and her wife, Courtney, of Waltham, MA and their children, Bodhi and Sawyer; Tyler Greenlaw and his wife Mary, of Stockton Springs, ME; siblings: Darrell Payson and wife Ann of Littleton, MA, sister-in-law Fran Payson of Brewer, Maureen Larrabee of DE and NH, Carold Payson and wife Peggy of Yarmouth, Lauren Payson of Belfast, Cherylene Labbe of Topsham, Cheryle Larrabee of Charlotte, NC; brother-in-law Dan Perry of Ghent, NY; sister-in-law Mary Jane Costigan of Stockton Springs; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. 

Janice was predeceased by her husband, Melvin, of 56 years, her parents, brothers Jimmy and Burton; sisters Delma Paul and Sharon Perry, brothers-in-law Raymond Paul, Frank Costigan, Joe Costigan and Rusty Russell, sisters-in law Minnie Payson, Virginia Costigan and Lillian Russell.

Visiting hours will be held at the Stockton Springs Community Church on Saturday, August 9th, 2025, from 12 - 2 p.m.  A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM with Pastor John Tabor officiating.  Following the service, conversation will continue, and refreshments will be provided at the Griffin Building (Community Building).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Stockton Springs Community Church Steeple Maintenance Fund at P.O. Box 391 Stockton Springs ME  04981.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com