Southwest Harbor -
Janet Lewis Mitchell 85, passed away peacefully in Bar Harbor on February 25, 2022. Janet was born June 7, 1936, to Chester A. and Grace A. (Butler) Lewis.
She grew up on the "backside" of the island and graduated from Pemetic High School, class of 1954. That year she met the love of her life and married Gardiner Mitchell, Sr. on October 16, 1955. They were married for 65 years prior to his death in 2020.
In those 65 years, they traveled and called Matinicus Island, ME, Cape Charles, VA, Buxton, NC, and Wellfleet, MA home before returning to Southwest Harbor to raise their family. Janet enjoyed spending time with her family but also enjoyed caring for a few special summer families that she thought the world of. She and Gardiner loved to garden, and she relished showing off her beautiful gardens to anyone who dropped by her home. She also loved to cook (and was a great cook!) and was known as “Mother” to her children’s friends who always knew where they could stop for a late-night meal!
She is survived by her daughter Pamela, her husband Peter Smith of Southwest Harbor, grandson Nathaniel Brehmer and his wife Shelley of Apopka, FL. ; step-grandchildren Katrina Smith of Silver Springs, MD., Sam (Krista) Smith of North Pole, AK, and Duncan (Gabrielle) Smith of Portland, OR.: son Robert, his wife Jennifer Mitchell of Mount Desert, grandson Robert Jr. “Brett” of Wiscasset, and granddaughter Caroline “Calli” of Boston, MA.: four sisters Priscilla Oberheu, Lucille Grant, Sally Beadle, and Sharon Richardson; a brother Chester Lewis, Jr. : half-brother Jamie Lewis, half-sisters Marilyn Damon, Sandra Meier, and Johnna Stewart as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Gardiner, sister Blanche Harper, half-brothers David and Keith Lewis.
A spring graveside service will be held 1pm, May 22, 2022, at Mt. Height Cemetery, Southwest Harbor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Charlotte Rhoades Garden, PO Box 263, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679, or Southwest-Tremont Ambulance Service, PO Box 437, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mt. Desert. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com