Janice Pachowsky Carpenter

PORTLAND – Janice Pachowsky Carpenter, 80, died in Waterville, on Aug. 27, 2025, with family by her side after a prolonged battle with several disabilities. She was born July 11, 1945, to Fairfield residents Samuel Louis Pachowsky, a child of Jewish Lithuanian immigrants, an amputee Purple Heart veteran of World War II, and successful real estate investor; and Minna Abbott Pachowsky, who inspired Janice with her civic engagement.

Janice graduated from Waterville High in 1963 and attended the Rhode Island School of Design and Colby College. Janice met Steve in the third grade, when several classes gathered to view a snowy owl. After their 1967 marriage, they traveled to Minnesota, New York, Maryland, then back to Portland, by 1977, with children Stephen and Kate in tow, and summers spent at Indian Point in Georgetown.

Janice was a quiet, persistent community activist during the 1980’s and 90’s, supporting causes including the Portland Fire Museum, the Riverton Trolley Park site, the Riverton Community Association, Portland’s system of Branch Libraries, and a 1982 “Computers for Kids” expo. Janice served as chair of the City Manager’s Advisory Committee, with the Portland Area League of Women Voters, and the Maine LWV, where she was a Board President. Later, Janice supported Steve’s software business, welcomed four grandchildren, and cared for her parents in their home to ages 100 and 98.

Janice was predeceased by her son Stephen Abbott Carpenter, her sister-in-law Jane Carpenter Poliquin and her sister-in-law Betsy’s husband Peter Martyn Winter. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Sparrell Carpenter of Waterville, her daughter-in-law Jennifer Moniz Carpenter and Jennifer’s twin sons Aaron Christopher Carpenter and Michael Quinn Carpenter, of Plymouth, Mass.; her daughter Katherine Chaya Morton Carpenter, Kate’s husband Roo Dunn, and their children Riley Nathan Carpenter Dunn and Bean Abigail Mason Dunn of Bath; her brother-in-law William Morton Carpenter and his wife Donna Gold of Stockton Springs; her sister-in-law Elizabeth Ashley Carpenter of Georgetown; her sister-in-law Jane’s husband Bruce Lee Poliquin of Georgetown; adored nephews and niece, and 50-plus first cousins and their families.

Janice’s family deeply appreciate the assistance of many helpers, especially Tammye Steeves, Toby Adams, JoAnne Caron, Jeanne-Marie Boutin and Kayla Clark-Fickett, and nurse Izzy Bell.

A service will be held at 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, at Wilde Memorial Chapel in Portland’s Evergreen Cemetery, and a 12 p.m. reception at Bruno’s Restaurant.

For an online guest book and full obituary, please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Preble Street, the Good Shepherd Food Bank, or a local, bipartisan voter advocacy organization.