HOULTON and ORLAND – Janice “Jan” Rush, 69, left this world in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 3, 2005, to be reunited with her husband and parents in heaven, while surrounded by her loving family. Jan was born Nov. 7, 1935, in Columbia Falls, the daughter of the late Mary (Richard) and Gilbert Bailey Sr. Jan graduated from Columbia Falls High School and Husson College. In October of 1955, she married Bill Blackwood and they raised their two daughters, Debbie and Cathy. After Bill’s death, Jan moved and worked in the Ellsworth school system for many years. In July of 1971, Jan married Dick Griffin and they combined their families and together they raised Debbie, Cathy, Sherri, Melody, and April. Jan established the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce in the late 1970’s and as the executive director she would be seen around Ellsworth attending Chamber events and overseeing Chamber functions. Jan held positions with the American Red Cross, Eastern State Exposition among others. In July 1994, she married Dale Rush and then moved to Houlton where she lived with her husband until his death. Jan worked at the Houlton Information Center for many years where she made many friends in Houlton and afar. Jan loved music, dancing, and staying in touch with friends and family with her computer. Janice is survived by her daughters, Debbie Austin and her husband, Jack, of Orland, and Cathy Griffin of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandchildren, Amy Wright and her fianc?, Dan Caldwell and their daughters, Sarah and Danielle, all of Jacksonville, Fla., Gregory Austin and his fianc?e, Angela Moulton, of Belfast, Michael Austin of Orland, Erin Watson and her husband, Jay, of Jacksonville, Fla., Katelyn Griffith, and Michael Griffith, both of Jacksonville, Fla. Also surviving are stepdaughter, Jolayne Mathers and her husband, Michael, of Presque Isle and their children, Sam, Lucas, and Caleb; stepdaughters, Melody Wright and her daughters, Courtney and Cristin, and April Poulin, and her children, Amanda and Travis, all of Ellsworth; Janice leaves her only sister, Christine Williams of Roland, Okla.; brothers, Gilbert Bailey and his wife, Gertrude, of Ellsworth, Richard Bailey and friend, Jennifer Hoffses, of Columbia Falls, and Octave “David” Bailey of Naples, Fla.; sisters-in-law, Zona Simmons of West Virginia; and Avery Evans of Okla.; mother-in-law, Jean Rush of Houlton. Janice leaves many special nieces and nephews and her cousin, Cecile Thompson. Janice will be missed by many friends including Alice Upton, Barbara Richardson, Hilda Walton, Diddie McCluskey, Donna Shea, Pat Jordan, and Natalie Knox. Her friends also include many of both of her daughter’s friends, Barbara Dorr, Jane Beaulieu, Joanne Craven, Paulette Hinson, and Robin Reynolds who came to know and love her. Jan was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Dale, Feb. 14, 2005; her granddaughter, Jill Ann Wright, July 4, 1982; and her sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Bailey in 1990. A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at the Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, 28 Elm St., Bucksport, with Pastor Peter Remick officiating. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until time of service. Jan made Hancock County Hospice and their employees a part of her family. She wants them to know how much she grew to love them and appreciated all their loving care. Her family will be forever grateful to Ginny Polland and Patty Black of Hancock County Hospice and the staff and doctors, Dr. Kristin McDermott and Barbara Daigle, FNP at Bucksport Family Medicine. They also wish to thank the staff and nurses at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital who were very caring in the last days and were with her at the end. Donations in Jan’s memory may be made to Hancock County Hospice, P.O. Box 156, Water Street, Blue Hill, ME 04614.
JANICE BAILEY GRIFFIN RUSH
