Jan Willis passed away on February 5 after a brief battle with cancer. Her memorial service was held on February 11 at a filled sanctuary at First Parish Church. Jan was a well loved member of the Gorham community and a friend to many, particularly the staff of the Gorham Times.
She was a huge supporter of the paper through advertising for Willis Real Estate long before she volunteered her time writing articles. She started as a contributing writer in 2014 when she began sharing “Off the Page” reviews about her favorite books.
Karen DiDonato, past Editor, said, “I approached Jan one day via e-mail to ask if she had any interest in writing for us, and she immediately jumped in with a book review idea. She sent me several columns within a few weeks.”
“Jan was always excited to share her love of books with people. With each review she sent in, she was already thinking ahead to the next. In one of her last reviews, she chose to focus on a mystery series that would appeal to men as much as women so she could draw more people in. Her love of reading was unmatched. She leaves a big hole not only at the Gorham Times, but in the community as well,” said Leslie Dupuis, Editor.
Jan will be remembered for her love for her family and friends, her trademark smile, and her commitment to Gorham. We continue to grieve the loss of our friend and contributor.