WINSLOW – Jane Millett Dornish, an extraordinarily gracious, wonderful, nurturing, and supportive wife, mother, and friend to many, died peacefully at home on Oct. 25, 2022.

Jane was born in Waterville on August 28, 1933, to E.W. “Bill” and Mary (Rollins) Millett. She grew up in Waterville and spent summers at Rollinsville at China Lake with her extended family. She graduated from Waterville High School in 1951 and from Colby College in 1955.

Jane met the love of her life, Karl, at Colby and they married on a very hot day shortly after her graduation. They moved to Gorham where they raised their three daughters together, Deborah, Katherine, and Martha. In 1985, after a few years in Muskegon, Michigan, Jane and Karl moved back to Maine and lived in Winslow.

Jane and Karl had many adventures together with their family and with dear friends. They traveled extensively in the US and Europe, canoed many a river, skied a few mountains, and climbed a lot more. Jane and Karl always enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and the morning word jumble in the newspaper, and still balanced their checkbook together. They celebrated their 67th anniversary in June of this year.

Colby College played an important role throughout Jane’s life, starting from childhood when she was a “rink rat” during her father’s time as hockey coach, continuing through her own student days, then happily visiting daughter Kathy when she was a student there. Once she and Karl moved back to the area in 1985, they were enthusiastic and frequent supporters of Colby arts and athletics. The College recognized her commitment and support by awarding her a Colby Brick and the Marriner Award.

A dear and caring friend to many, Jane made a point of remembering birthdays and anniversaries. She loved to entertain and has notebooks filled with menus and guest lists from many occasions. She loved to bake, and reading cookbooks was a favorite pastime. She played the piano, loved getting together with her epicurious book clubbers and was a lifelong knitter as she couldn’t just sit, she had to be producing something.

Jane was an amazing mother to their three daughters, Debbie, Kathy, and Martha, and stayed in close touch with them and their children. Her grandchildren only know they “go to Maine” for Christmas and did it for 32 years. She worked from sun-up to bedtime caring for her family and for others. Jane was generous with her love to all, in word and deed.

She precedes Karl in death leaving Debbie of Waterville, Kathy and Robert of Vermont, and Martha and Paul of Virginia. Her grandkids, Luc in Colorado, Rachel and husband Stephen with great grandchildren Jack and Oliver in Virginia, Jonathan and wife Maya in Biddeford, Regina in Washington, DC, and Isabel in Virginia, all adored their “Badi” and have many wonderful memories to treasure as life moves forward.

Jane will be sorely missed for her impressive warmth and hospitality, generous and humorous spirit along with an exceptional desire to ensure all who entered her home were made to feel special. In her honor, please do something kind for someone.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. in the Lorimer Chapel at Colby College with a reception following in Page Commons.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.



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