Janice L Thayer, 88, passed away at her beloved home on Hogan Pond, Oxford on April 24, 2024.

Born on South Paris, on June 25, 1935 she was the fourth child of Marguerite and Edgar Colby. 

She met her husband, Ed, when her parents bought his parents house in Oxford. She graduated in June of ’53 and they married on July 2.

Because her husband never really knew how to stay in one place for too long, she could pack up a house and four children and move, in the blink of an eye (15+ times). Although Oxford was her first and final home, she spent most of the years while raising her children in Wiscasset. 

She was a stay at home Mom until all four kids went to school. She then went to work for Stone and Webster when they built Maine Yankee. Later, she became one of the lunch ladies at Wiscasset High School. She was always a Mom first, so this was the job she loved most. She worked the same schedule as her children, with summers off. Summers were spent mostly at Hogan Pond.

In 1979 she and Ed started their business Ed Thayer Inc. Again he felt the need to move for the 12th time. They  settled back home in Oxford.

Retirement was spent at their home in St Petersburg, Florida in  winter, summer was spent on Hogan Pond in Oxford, and traveling in their camper.

Her home was always open and welcoming. The bright smile and the twinkle in her eye drew you in, always ready with a big hug. She always had a full cookie jar, and Reese’s in the freezer. After she lost Ed she found a group of women she referred to as her girls, playing cards and quilting.  

Janice was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Raymond Colby, Floyd Colby, her sister Verna Meserve, her husband Edwin and granddaughter Jessica Thayer. 

She is survived by her three sons, Floyd Thayer and wife Paula, Colby Thayer and girlfriend Sarah, and Bill Thayer and wife Cheryl; one daughter, Patti-Jo Averill and husband Steve; nine grandchildren Donald, Marshall, Bradley, Colby, Willy, and Colton Thayer, Daniel Averill, Laura Lynch,  Chelsey Woodman, and 14 great-grandchildren.  

The funeral will be held on April 30 at 2 p.m. at the Oxford Congregational Church, King Street, Oxford. Reception to be held at the American Legion on King Street immediately follow services.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Oxford Congregation Church, P.O. Box 222, Oxford, ME 04270.

To share Memories and condolences with the family please go to www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com. Arrangements are under the care of Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main Street, Oxford.