Janet Baribeau

Janet Freeman Baribeau, left this world on Saturday, August 30, 2025, after a beautifully lived life. Janet's entry into this world on December 26, 1938, on the Freeman Farm in Brunswick, Maine, was but just the beginning of an adventurous journey that she would embark on for the next 86 years. Janet was the first daughter, born to Celina Shea Freeman and Philip Freeman. Her oldest brother, Philip Gordon, was 4 ½ years old when she was born. Later, a sister, Constance arrived, and a little brother, Wayne, completed the Freeman family. Janet grew up on Bailey Island and was proud of her roots and her connection to family, friends, and community. She shared all of that history with us in her book, "A Bailey Island Girl Remembers," published in 2011, her legacy for us all.

She met and married her high school sweetheart, Dennis Baribeau of Brunswick, on July 6, 1957, and the two of them raised six children. A successful contractor in Brunswick, Dennis built over 200 houses in the area and Janet supported his entrepreneurship. Janet's commitment to her faith and family was apparent in the adventures they experienced as a family, with a move from Brunswick to Jackman, Maine, where they owned and operated hunting and fishing camps at Lake Parlin, and then moved to Prescott, Arizona, and operated a convenience store/gas station from 1972-1976, returning to Maine in 1976. Every house they ever lived in was made into a home with her special touches.

Janet loved to travel and appreciated new experiences. She traveled to Germany with her mother and brother, Gordon, and was always up for a new adventure. She was a great researcher and discovered family in Nova Scotia while working on family genealogy, then took a trip to visit them. Janet traveled to Ireland with her cousin, Ercil, and sister, Connie. She visited England, Hawaii, Washington state, and usually made a plan to visit her son or daughter wherever they lived. She attended a Chicago Cubs game in Chicago, but was loyal to the Boston Red Sox always. She traveled cross country with Dennis numerous times, and enjoyed the Southwest especially. Janet even ventured to Italy and took a river cruise with lifelong, best friend, Nancy Johnson Jensen. No place was too far for this adventurous spirit.

At home, Janet loved and cared for her family. She was the patient parent when it came to sitting beside an inexperienced teen driver with a driver's permit! She baked and decorated cakes for birthdays and special occasions, especially Grampy Leeman's Chocolate Cake and Blueberry Buckle. She took pride in doing things well, and was a talented seamstress, cook, baker, decorator, wreath maker, and knitter! She enjoyed swimming at Cedar Beach, no matter how cold the water was, and always shared a story about her growing up on the island when you were with her. She attended basketball, soccer, baseball, and hockey games, always her children and grandchildren's biggest supporter and fan! Janet loved visiting libraries, exploring and learning about history in all sorts of places. She spent a lot of time visiting cemeteries while researching and was always at her best, telling and retelling stories. Perhaps those genes were passed down to her children and grandchildren.

Janet is predeceased by husband, Dennis Baribeau; son, Gary Wayne Baribeau; parents, Philip and Celina Freeman; brother, Wayne Freeman; sister, Connie Lord; granddaughter, Amy Morris; and dear friend, Bruce Bohrmann She leaves behind her brother, Philip Gordon Freeman and wife, Judy Freeman; brother-in-law, David Baribeau and wife, Maggie; sister-in-law, Patricia Martine; sister-in-law, Ann Baribeau; children: daughter, Deborah, and husband, Clayton Achey; daughter, Lori Graffam; daughter, Joyce Baribeau; daughter, Joanie Parent; daughter, Denice, and husband, Matthew Sharpe. Janet leaves behind 21 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, granddaughter as well as numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins, and her lifelong friend, Nancy Johnson Jensen.

Anyone who knew our Mom, Janet, Grammy, Memere, or Aunt Janet, knew that she was strong and strong-willed, but was also as soft and loving as she was strong! Full of love, courage, laughter, and resilience, she touched the lives of all who knew her. You will be so missed, Mom, but until then, "I'm so glad we had this time together, just to have a laugh, or sing a song…seems we just get started, and before you know it, comes the time you have to say 'so long."