Janet Louise Landis

Janet Louise Landis, 53 CUMBERLAND -- Janet Louise Landis, 53, of Cumberland, passed away Feb. 9, 2009, at home with her loving family by her side. Her brief battle with pancreatic cancer was courageous.

She was born in Bureau County, Ill., on April 16, 1955, the daughter of Roger and Nancy Eckhoff Bell. She graduated from Tiskilwa High School in Illinois and received her B.S. in Physical Education from MacMurray College. She received her MS in Religious Studies from Southwestern Theological Seminary and upon graduation, she served two years with the Peace Corps in the Philippines.

After working a summer in Maine at the Salvation Army Day Camp, she fell in love with the beauty of the state. She moved to Maine in 1985 and began working at the Portland YMCA as Youth and Family Director. It was at the YMCA where she met her beloved husband Bill, who was the Program Director; Janet and Bill were married in 1986. She began working at the South Portland Housing Authority in 1988, and worked there until her passing. They had a daughter Christine, who was born in 1990. She was active at Church of the Servant and First Baptist Church of Portland, as well as supporting daughter Christine in her many sporting activities. Janet was also very active in the Cumberland schools through PTO, Project Graduation and several booster organizations. Her hobbies included camping, crafts and canning Bill's gardening produce.

She was predeceased by her father, Roger Bell; and brother-in-law Gale Pinter. Besides her husband Bill and daughter Christine of Cumberland, she leaves her mother and step-father, Nancy and Ron Sampson of Illinois; her brother Duane Bell and wife Lisa of California, her sister Nyla Pinter of Illinois and brother Joe Bell and his wife Julie of Illinois; along with 14 nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their gratitude and thanks to the nurses at Maine Medical Center Gibson wing; Maine Center for Cancer; Home Health Visiting Nurses; and Southern Maine Hospice. Visiting hours will be held at Jones, Rich and Hutchins, 199 Woodfords St. on Saturday, Feb. 21, 12 to 3 p.m. in Portland. A celebration of Janet's life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. at Greely Middle School in Cumberland with the Rev. Doug Sholl officiating. A graveside service on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Mount Bloom Cemetery, Tiskilwa, Ill. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Landis family by visiting Janet's guest book at www.mem.com. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Maine American Cancer Society New England Division 1 Main St. Topsham, Maine 04086 Janet Louise Landis Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763