ORONO – Janice L. Pelletier M.D., 65, passed away on Oct. 23, 2022, surrounded by loved ones at her home.

Jan was born on May 15, 1957, the second of six children of Raymond A. Pelletier and Jeanne I. (Poulin) Pelletier of Winslow. In 1983 she married Dr. Leonard J. Kass, together with whom she raised two children, Nigel and Eleanore “Elea” Kass. Jan and Len were partners in every sense, having shared a loving marriage and family life; having lived together in multiple states and countries; and having collaborated professionally on research, teaching, and other work, numerous written articles, and a host of academic publications. They enjoyed international travel and experiences in various cultures. Jan was always generous with family, friends, and acquaintances. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Jan lit up the lives of all who knew her.

Jan attended Winslow High School, class of 1975, and Harvard University, class of 1979, with a degree in psychology. Jan was accomplished both as an athlete and a scholar, and also pursued a wide range of other interests.

In high school she engaged in field hockey, track, gymnastics, band, and cheerleading (some in the same season), and at Harvard she participated in the crew team and played soccer (again in the same season).

At Harvard Jan was particularly proud to be one of the “originals” who worked from 1975-76 to transform women’s soccer from a club sport into Harvard University’s first Varsity Women’s Soccer Team. The team won the Women’s Soccer Ivy League Championship in 1978, a mere two years after Jan helped transform it from club status. Jan was a Harvard Class Marshall, a two-year Harvard varsity letter winner in soccer, and a winner of the Catherine Innes Ireland Fellowship, granted to students “strong in academics and extracurriculars.”

After Harvard Jan attended the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, N.Y., graduating in 1984. She completed her medical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital and her fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She was a clinical professor at Tufts, the University of Vermont, and the University of New England, and an ad hoc professor at the University of Maine. She was a prolific writer and contributor to medical research, having authored, co-authored or otherwise contributed to more than 20 grants and 50 publications. Jan’s resume, spanning a full 11 pages, evidences the tremendous breadth and scope of her professional career and may be viewed along with other details from her life at the CaringBridge website assembled by her family (link below).

Despite these many accomplishments, Jan would like to be most remembered for her more than 40 years of service in Maine as a pediatrician and as a member of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. As its president she came to national prominence, accepting positions at the district and national levels. Jan was a social activist, having provided testimony in 25 legislative cases and having written 22 editorials, all towards improving the health and well-being of children. In 2017 she was honored with the “Giraffe Award” from the Maine Children’s Alliance, for unsung community heroes who go above and beyond their job descriptions to “stick out their necks” for Maine children, youth, and families. Jan was a healer, an advocate, and a builder of lasting works for the benefit of others. She freely gave her time to her family, friends, and various communities and causes.

Jan is survived by her husband of 39 years, Dr. Leonard Kass of Orono; her two children, Nigel Kass of Anaheim, Calif., and Eleanore Kass of Austin, Texas; her brother, Ronald Pelletier and wife Ning Sawangjaeng of Lincolnville, her sister, Karen Pelletier and partner Anu Makynen of Portland, her brother, Mark Pelletier and wife Leslie King Pelletier of Winslow, her brother, Dominic Pelletier and wife Beth Audet Pelletier of Raymond, her brother, Jeffrey Pelletier and wife Lilly Ampai Chiu Pelletier of Carlsbad, Calif.; and her father’s partner and fiancée of 30 years Martha (Grindall) Audet of Winslow. On Jan’s husband’s side of the family she is survived by seven sisters- and brothers-in-law, Marjorie (Kass) Martens and husband John Martens of Rock Island, Ill., William Kass and wife Patricia Robertson of Awendaw, S.C., Richard Kass and wife Cheryl (Brockman) Kass of Bastrop, Texas, Donald Kass of Wilmington, N.C., David Kass and wife Cynthia (Rossi) Kass of Downers Grove, Ill., Dean Kass of Chippewa Falls, Wis., James Kass of Branson, Mo. Jan is also survived by 43 nieces and nephews as well as their partners and children.

Janice was predeceased by her parents Raymond A. Pelletier and Jeanne (Poulin) Pelletier, her father- and mother-in-law, Adolph and Eleanore (Klein) Kass; and her sisters-in-law Nancy (Willey) Pelletier, Ingrid (Renken) Kass, Eileen Kass, and Patricia (Fitzgerald) Kass.

Jan loved spending cherished moments with family and friends, entertaining colleagues during her numerous professional presentations, and making all around her smile and enjoy life. Jan was a born pediatrician as she adored caring for young children. As a physician her clinical skills were unparalleled, combining medicine with true empathy and love.

Notice of a remembrance of life event (date to be determined) honoring Jan will also be posted on the CaringBridge site and on other social media in the near future.

A service of Brookings-Smith.

In lieu of flowers,

please visit

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/janicepelletier

to leave condolences or to contribute to

Jan’s Memorial Fund.

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