INDIAN ISLAND – Janice Alice “Rene” Attean, 68, died unexpectedly Aug. 5, 2011, at her residence. She was born May 26, 1943, on Indian island.
Rene was active in Boy Scouts of America and Boys and Girls Club of Bridgeport, Conn. She was very involved in Native American Issue politically, spiritually and culturally. She was the founder of the Penobscot Indian Nation Museum, co-founder of Penobscot Indian Nation Judiciary Advisory Committee and a founding member of Indian Island Hospice. Rene participated on many Penobscot Nation committees and boards including IRATE, as well as Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance. She was an accomplished author of Native American Curriculum. She graduated from the University of Maine with a Master of Arts degree in education and then graduated from Harvard University with a second master’s degree in curriculum development. She was a strong advocate for migrant workers.
She is survived by her children, Philip, William, Teri, Janice and Scott; grandchildren, Danica, Maya, Joseph, Louis, Seneca, Taletha, Domekin, Dina, Dan, Dustin, Jasmine, Dan, Tomekin, Tristan, Cheyne, Allie, Nicole and Taya; 20 great-grandchildren; godchildren, David and Cheryl; a brother, Gary Attean; sisters, Ruth Johnson and Constance Fazio; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Elmer N. Attean; her mother, Eunice Lewey Crowley; brothers and sisters, Leroy, Sharon, Alice, Priscilla and Brian; and a great-grandson, Eneeq Francis.
A visitation will be held 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday at her home, 15 Bear Ridge Road, Indian Island. Memorial contributions may be made to Indian Island Hospice, 23 Wabanaki Way, Indian Island, ME 04468. Notes of condolence may be left at
www.birminghamfuneralhome.com.