Dedham, Maine - Janice Costain Gray, 90, of Dedham, passed away on January 9, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born in Ellsworth on December 31, 1935, to Gerald and Helen Costain, she grew up in Holden, where she met her husband, Richard Gray. They married on June 15, 1957, and shared 68 years together.

Janice graduated from Brewer High School and earned a degree in education from the University of Maine. She devoted her career to educating children in elementary schools in Bangor and SAD #63. She was a trusted mentor to many. Janice cherished time with her family. She was happiest hosting gatherings at the farm in Eddington and the camp on Green Lake, where she welcomed everyone with home cooked meals. She was a lifelong member of the Holden Congregational Church, and served as organist, sang in the choir, worked church suppers, made peanut brittle, and volunteered for anything the church needed.

Janice was predeceased by her sister, Carolyn; and a very special sister-in-law, Marjorie Gray. She is survived by her husband, Richard Gray; children, Scott (Janelle) Gray of Holden, Jeff (Diana) Gray of Bangor, and Ellen (Tim) Savage of Ellsworth; grandsons, Brandon Gray of Bangor, Sam Gray of Newmarket, NH, and Anthony Gray of Jacksonville, Florida; granddaughters, Jennifer Baily of Bedford, NH, Adrianne Savage-Reynolds of Ellsworth, Nicole Gray of South Portland, and Hillary Savage of Cabot, Vermont; great-grandchildren, Piper and Abel of Ellsworth, and Max and Quinn of Bedford, NH. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews she was close with.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, January 17, at 1 p.m. at Holden Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Holden Congregational Church at P.O. Box 309, Holden, ME 04429.