Janice Louise Spencer passed away on August 31, 2026. She was born in Lewiston on January 1, 1939, to Joseph and Lea (Beaudoin) Simpson. Known affectionately as "Duchess" by her caregivers at the Barron Center, she lived a life that could fill several books.

While raising her family in Bangor, she studied in France and at the University of Maine, earning her bachelor’s degree. She creatively financed her studies abroad by selling several pairs of her coveted Levi's jeans on the streets of Paris. As a young girl, she discovered a lifelong love for literature, and in adulthood, she enjoyed competing in Scrabble and beating her friends and neighbors at poker. An educator at heart, she held long-term substitute teaching positions in Portland schools and established herself as a driven real estate agent in the southern Maine region.

Janice Louise shared a passion for world travel with her husband, Ray. Together, they explored Europe, visited the Canadian provinces, and enjoyed the warm Caribbean sun. As her husband’s magic assistant, Janice Louise performed with silks, swords, and fire, wowing audiences from children's birthday parties to Maine stages and beyond. Her sensitivity and compassion were exemplified by her volunteerism and deep commitment to helping individuals and families living with substance use and mental health disorders.

Janice Louise is survived by her son, Scott (Peggy) Spencer; her daughter, Bethany (David) Austin; her grandchildren, Bethany, Gabe, Jordan, Keith, Michael, Clyde, and Henry; and her great-grandchildren, Kaylin, Ellie, Jase, Blaiden, Spencer, Tanner, and Sylvia. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Jolene Pelletier (2003) and Monique Caret (2002); her husband, Raymond E. Spencer (2018); and her son, Raymond “Chip” J. Spencer (2010).

Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m., immediately followed by a funeral service at 1:00 p.m., on Tuesday, September 15, at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland. Mourners are invited to a reception at 2:00 p.m. at Bruno’s Restaurant and Tavern. A dual interment with her late husband will take place, Wednesday, September 16, at 2:00 p.m. at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta.

To share memories of Janice or to leave the family an online condolence, please visit www.athutchins.com