A seasonal Vinalhaven resident left more than $1 million combined to three local organizations in her will.
Janis Calderwood left $500,000 to the Vinalhaven Library, $500,000 to the Vinalhaven Historical Society, and $71,420 to the Union Church on Vinalhaven.
Calderwood died March 13, 2025 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, at the age of 90.
She was an electrical engineer who worked at General Electric. She was never married and had no children.
Calderwood also left money to the Grotton Long Point Fire Department, to other churches in Massachusetts, the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Her estate was valued at about $4 million.
Town Manager Marjorie Stratton said she met Calderwood a few times years ago but that Calderwood never mentioned she was leaving money to the island organizations.
Town Librarian Jennifer Wadleigh said she does not recall meeting Calderwood although she has only been librarian for four years. Wadleigh said the library is excited about the donation.
Calderwood purchased property on Mountain Street in 1966 and conveyed it to a trust in 2016.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.