Obituary: Janet McGraves
Janet McGraves, Long‑time Brunswick Business Owner, Dies at 79
Brunswick, Maine – Janet McGraves, who ran the Lisbon Falls Dairy Maid for three decades and was a fixture in the local community, died peacefully on Saturday, October 11, 2026, surrounded by her close family.
McGraves was born in 1947 in Topsham, Maine, and spent her life in the Brunswick area. She grew up in a family that included parents Donald and Velma, older brother Doug, and identical twin sister Jane. The McGraves household was known for its lively atmosphere, with a variety of pets and a tradition of singing school cheers and the “Get back, get back, get back to the woods” chant.
The family business began in 1952 when Janet’s parents opened the Lisbon Falls Dairy Maid. Janet took over the operation in 1996, managing the ice‑cream and pizza stand for 30 years. In the summer months she worked the Dairy Maid, then shifted to L.L.Bean during the winter season. Her hands‑on leadership helped train many young people in the town’s summer workforce, instilling lessons about hard work, customer service, and a touch of humor.
In a gesture of recognition, a member of Senator Angus King’s staff presented Janet, her sister Jane and the McGraves family with a Senatorial Congratulations for the Dairy Maid’s 64‑year legacy as a cultural landmark.
Known for her quick wit, playful impersonations, and a bright red‑interior white Mustang, McGraves was a source of laughter for friends, neighbors and employees alike. Even in her final days, she continued to share her humor with nurses and caregivers, bringing joy to those around her.
Friends and family remember McGraves as a devoted aunt to her nephew J.D. (Vanessa) and niece Katie (Cole). “She’d sneak big bags of candy into movie theaters and fill our fridge with ice‑cream from the Dairy Maid,” said one relative. She also cherished simple pleasures such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, a fresh lobster roll, and watching “Murder, She Wrote.”
A touching exchange with a younger man she had known since childhood illustrates the affection she inspired: “You used to look up to me,” Janet told him, to which he replied, “I still do.”
McGraves is survived by twin sister Jane, brother‑in‑law Ken, nephew J.D. (Vanessa), niece Katie (Cole), five great‑nieces and nephews—Maeve, Grant, Ian, Colin and Esmé—and close friend Chrissy Davis. She also leaves a network of friends and community members who shared her sense of humor and kindness.
The family expressed heartfelt thanks to the staff who cared for Janet in her final weeks, including Dawn from Friends In‑Home Care; Melissa, Sandra and Bri from BaySquare; and Dr. Inger, Leslie, Nicole and Emma from MaineHealth. “For those working in memory care, please know that on your hardest days and in the hardest moments, you make a difference and leave a lasting impact on those in your care, even if they are never able to express it,” the family wrote.
A public service honoring McGraves will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, at Brunswick United Methodist Church, 320 Church Road, Brunswick, Maine. Memories and condolences may be shared online at http://www.brackettfh.com.
