Janet Polanski

Janet D. Polanski, 86, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, of natural causes. Born September 30, 1938, in Biddeford, ME, she was the daughter of Carlton and Parnell Burrill.

Janet grew up in Saco, ME, where she cherished summers on the Maine coast. She attended Thornton Academy, graduating in 1957, and remained a proud alumna throughout her life, attending reunions and supporting her school through charitable giving. She went on to study at the University of Maine, where she met her future husband, Donald W. Polanski of Berlin, CT. The two married on August 8, 1959, and began their adventure together with a cross-country honeymoon road trip to Washington State for Donald’s first job with the U.S. Forest Service.

In 1968, Janet was widowed suddenly when Donald passed away. With strength and determination, she moved with their four children to Berlin, CT, to be near the children’s paternal grandparents. A devoted mother, she spent countless hours supporting her children’s busy athletic schedules, while instilling in them independence and resilience. In 1976, Janet undertook a bold journey of her own. Determined to show her children the beauty of the American West, she packed them into the family station wagon—luggage strapped to the roof—and embarked on a six-week camping road trip. They visited Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, Crater Lake, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the Grand Canyon, among others. Rumor has it that this may have been the inspiration for National Lampoon’s Vacation movie.

Janet worked at Newington Children’s Hospital until she retired in 2001. Retirement allowed her to relocate to Hobe Sound, Florida, where she could be closer to the ocean she loved so dearly. There, she became an active member of the Sugar Sands community, serving on the HOA board from 2013 to 2020. It also gave her the freedom to explore her adventurous spirit, and she traveled extensively around the world—visiting the Middle East, India, Asia, Europe, Africa, South America, the Galapagos Islands, and beyond. She delighted in encounters with wildlife, from riding elephants, petting pandas and swimming with dolphins. Even at 80, she celebrated her birthday by tubing across Lake Travis.

Janet was predeceased by her husband, Donald. She is survived by her four children: Donald of Stevensville, MT; Joleen of Montgomery, TX; Douglas of Breckenridge, CO; and David of Athens, OH; six grandchildren—Brandie, Niklaas, Sean, Aileen, Naomi, and Zachary; and one great-grandchild, Henry.

Friends and relatives may attend a memorial service on Friday, October 10, from 1–3 p.m. at All Country Funeral Home in Stuart FL. A Celebration of Life reception will follow at the Sugar Sands Community Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Janet’s memory. (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/