Janet P.R. Beerits

1917 - 2015

Janet P.R. Beerits, 98
ELLSWORTH - Janet P.R. Beerits, 98, of Sheepscot and Deer Isle, died on August 9 at Seaport Village Healthcare Nursing Facility, Ellsworth.
Janet was born on April 24, 1917 in Abington, Penn., the daughter of Otho Ernest Cox Robinson and Florence (Willard) Robinson. She grew up in nearby Willow Grove, with extended annual vacation sojourns in Sea Girt, NJ and Coconut Grove, Fla. She was educated in local schools, completing high school at Abington Friends School. Janet's mother prevailed upon her to attend college, rather than art school. Upon graduating from Wellesley College in 1938, Janet was hired as an instructor in the Wellesley Art Department and received her MA from Wellesley in 1940.
In 1942, after the death of Janet's father, her older sister Ruth convinced her to come for a vacation at a ranch in Montana. Janet stayed on through the Montana winter at a smaller ranch, living with the owner, his wife, the ranch hand and his wife (the cook). Janet slept in the bunkhouse behind the log ranch house originally built by Buffalo Bill Cody for his daughter. At that time the life and lifestyle of people there was not far removed from the way life had been in the Old West. By spring, Janet was working as a cowhand, participating in roundup activities and driving cattle on horseback to market. She then took a local job with the National Forest Service "manning" a fire tower, but left it to marry Henry C. Beerits, a Philadelphia lawyer who was destined for an active legal and civic career.
Janet and Henry met in 1942 when she came back East for the wedding of her best friend. Henry was a close friend of the groom. From this event began a romance that overcame geographic distance and led to their marriage in August 1943. For the next 35 years, Janet and Henry lived in Pennsylvania (Chester Springs and Radnor) where they raised their three children, with Henry commuting to work in Philadelphia.
Janet enjoyed country life in Chester Springs - raising young children, gardening, and tending chickens. After the family moved to Radnor, she found the role of suburban housewife unsatisfying. She again took up painting and horseback riding. In 1962 she enrolled in the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts where she became a sculptor, graduating in 1966. She then continued sculpture in graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving an MFA in sculpture in 1971. Later Janet would become an active member of the Deer Isle Artists Association serving as exhibition chair, vice president, and president.
Janet's art school years were very stimulating for her, as she returned to painting and sculpture at a time of change and upheaval in American culture. During that time she developed enduring friendships with several other students, age differences notwithstanding.
Janet and Henry were introduced to Maine and Deer Isle by close family friends Ben and Marnie Schauffler, who had built a log cabin on Barred Island in Penobscot Bay. Janet, Henry, and later their children were invited up for stays on the island which was accessed by mail boat from Deer Isle. In 1972, when Henry retired, he and Janet bought a home on Deer Isle overlooking Pickering Cove. For the next several years they spent summers in Deer Isle and winters in Radnor. Janet commuted to South Philadelphia to her sculpture studio, located in a row house there.
In 1978, Janet and Henry moved from Pennsylvania to Sheepscot, continuing to spend their summers on Deer Isle. On Deer Isle Janet purchased a house and land adjacent to their summer home. This house became the "incubator" for Nervous Nellie's Jams and Jellies – a highly successful small business established by her son Peter.
Janet and Henry traveled extensively - often with close friends - during their 66 years of marriage. Destinations included European countries, Caribbean islands, Mexico, Canada and far-flung U.S. destinations.
By choice or chance, Janet often found herself taking care of one or more animals. At different times these included dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, two donkeys, a sheep, turtles, a hamster and a canary.
During her lifetime, Janet's keen eye and artistic ability led her to tastefully restore several houses, preserving essential qualities and architecture.
Janet was a member of numerous conservation organizations during the course of her life: The Nature Conservancy, The Rainforest Alliance, the National Parks Conservation Association and Greenpeace. She also was a Life Member of the Swedish Colonial Society.
With Henry's death in 2009, Janet and Henry's long, successful marriage came to an end. Janet continued wintering in Sheepscot and summering in Deer Isle, initially residing alone with frequent family contact and later in the care and companionship of her daughter Susie. It was due to Susie's care that Janet was able to continue her established lifestyle almost until her death at age 98.
Janet Beerits was predeceased by her older sister, Ruth Robinson Ross.
Janet is survived by her three children, Christopher Beerits and wife Ellen of Alna, Susan Murphy and husband Michael of Fairfield, Iowa, and Peter Beerits and wife Anne of Deer Isle; five grandchildren, Jon Metcalf of Blue Hill, Matthew Beerits of Damariscotta, Laura Beerits of Santa Fe, NM, Mary Murphy of Worcester, Vt. and Rory Beerits of South Boston, Mass.; great grandchild, Adam Metcalf of Blue Hill; three nephews, David Ross, Michael Reynolds, and Stephen Reynolds.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Sheepscot Community Church, the King's Highway, Newcastle (Sheepscot). Burial will follow at the Sheepscot Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main Street, Damariscotta, Maine. Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.

Memorial donations in Janet's name may be made to:
The Deer Isle Artists Association Scholarship Fund
C/O Darwin Davidson
Treasurer, DIAA
P.O. Box 634
Deer Isle, ME 04627
The DIAA encourages student artists by awarding scholarships to graduating seniors continuing their education in the arts