Obituary of Janet P. Erickson

Janet P. (Forbes) Erickson passed away in Colorado Springs, Colorado on February 10, 2019 after a brief illness.Janet was born on November 6, 1935 in Presque Isle, Maine to William I. Forbes and Florence M. Dickinson and was raised in Northern Maine where she attended the Caribou School System. After graduating, she met her husband, Richard, and they were married shortly after. While raising their children, Janet exposed her children to a variety of activities, from sports to band, scouting and the local stamp and coin clubs. It was important to her that they were well-rounded in their youth. In addition, she worked a variety of jobs in the Caribou area. As she continued to build her business experience, she focused on opening her own business. She created and opened Country Collectibles in Caribou, Maine as a Gift Shop focusing on specialized and local collectibles that were first introduced to Aroostook County. During her ownership, the business continued to grow and expand and eventually had to move to three separate locations. While at this third location, and shortly after her husband's retirement, Janet decided to sell Country Collectibles, after over ten years of a successful career. She retired and Country Collectibles continues today to be a local mainstay.Upon their retirement and honoring a family commitment, they moved west to Colorado to join the rest of their family. While in Colorado, Janet was unable to let her business sense go, and started the Up In The Attic company and she had consignment antique and collectible store fronts around the Colorado Springs area. During her free time, Janet enjoyed taking care of her many gardens, and with her green thumb, was able to grow just about anything in the climate. Several of her friends often commented on their wonderment on how she was able to do it. Janet possessed many other talents from the very creative to wood working. She had the innate ability to look at a project or a group of items, and within a very short time, put them together, that left the rest of us scratching our heads, amazed at her creation.Janet was very proud of her Scottish and Irish heritage, and could often be found singing along with songs and listening to folklore. She loved wearing the Forbes Tartan and sharing stories of the Clan to anyone who would listen. Music was but one of Janet's passions, and when the songs played you could quickly find her dancing and looking for a partner to keep going. She always wore us out with her stamina to dance all night long.Janet was an amazing and strong woman who always pushed herself to success and happiness no matter the issue. She reached deep down and was a fighter in all that she did. She passed her traits on to her children and grandchildren. Her high standards and focus always led them to push themselves beyond what they thought they could and she was always on the other side to watch them come through.Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Erickson in 2011. She is survived by her children, Vicki Duffy of Black Forest, Colorado, Scott Erickson of Clancy, Montana, Dean Erickson of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Stasia Erickson of Black Forest, Colorado and Troy Erickson of Lawson, Colorado; her grandchildren, Rebecca Campbell of Florissant, Colorado, Heather Wingfield of Seven Lakes, North Carolina, Ian Erickson of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Haley Erickson of Clancy, Montana, Jennifer Erickson of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Hannah Erickson of Cumming, Georgia, Kelsey Erickson of Ft. Collins, Colorado; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and one sister, Gloria Flannery of Presque Isle, Maine.Private Graveside Service, Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 Hancock Expressway, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution in Janet's memory may be made to The Independence Center, 729 South Tejon Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 Events Final Resting Place Evergreen Cemetery 1005 Hancock Expressway Colorado Springs, CO 80903