Janet L. Martel

Janet Lowe Martel, 87, passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at the McClure Miller Respite House surrounded by her family.

Born May 23, 1938, in Camden, Maine, Janet was the daughter of Charles Herman Lowe and Marjorie (Bartlett) Powers. She graduated from Rockland High School in 1956 and later attended Fisher College in Boston. She returned to Maine to be with the love of her life, Leo, whom she met playing baseball in her grandparents' field, a place she cherished throughout her life.

Janet and Leo moved to Vermont in 1965 to begin a new chapter. She worked at Sears for more than 25 years before semi-retiring and joining C & G Appliances part-time. She also volunteered for many years at the Heavenly Food Pantry.

Janet was known for her positivity and calm spirit. Summers by the pool with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy. She rarely missed a school game and was always her family's biggest cheerleader. She also treasured her weekly "Telefunky" card games with her dear friends Betsy, Carol, Marsha, and Byrd; friendships that spanned more than two decades.

Janet was predeceased by her husband of 60 years Leo Thomas Martel; her parents; and her brother Chris Lowe. She is survived by her daughters Laurie Cota (David) of Essex Junction, and Lisa Graves (Thomas) of Winooski; her grandchildren Sheena Barnes (Ryan), Justin Graves, Jessica Charbonneau (Kyle), and Lauren Graves; and by her great-grandchildren Easton and Addelyn Barnes, Harper, Otto, and Zoe Graves, and Evan Charbonneau. She also leaves her sisters Martha Bouchard, Valera Roher, and Mary Armentrout Quinn; her niece Jennifer Murray (Paul) and their sons James and Matthew; and several nieces and nephews.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the outpatient cardiology team at UVMMC and the McClure Miller Respite House for their compassionate care.

A service will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 1:00pm at the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, 39 Main St. Burial will be held later this spring at Fairview Cemetery in Essex Junction. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Janet's memory to the Heavenly Food Pantry, 1 Church St., Essex Junction, VT 05452.