1928 – 2014

ROCHESTER, N.H. — Janet Moore (Cavers) Adams, 85, died Tuesday, March 4, in New Hampshire.

She was born on Aug. 23, 1928, in Boston, Mass., to Richard and Florence Cavers. She grew up in Lewiston, the eldest sister to six siblings. On Aug. 1, 1948, she married Gordon C. Adams and together they raised six children in Auburn.

They were married for 38 years and they enjoyed square dancing and, as “Tiger shark” and “Tiger lily,” spending time chatting with friends on their CB radio. When their children were growing up, Janet worked seasonal jobs at Mammoth Mart, Lost Valley and a local orchard as an apple packer, so that she could devote most of her time and energy to her children’s needs. She was both a den mother and a Girl Scout leader, supporting her kids through Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and baseball. Later, Janet took on a full time position at Proctor and Gamble, where she worked for 26 years.

As her children reached adulthood, a steady stream of grandchildren followed. Mom became Grammy, and oh did she cherish that role! She was never more in her element than when holding a new grandchild in her arms. Her grandchildren will remember her lessons in the importance of “hugging like you mean it,” her endless supply of sweets, her clam dip, her ready smile, the epic sweaters and hats she knit on her knitting machines, her limitless generosity and her unconditional love.

In more recent years, Grammy became G.G., as her grandchildren grew and many had children of their own. G.G. moved a little more slowly than Grammy and more slowly still than Mom, but she remained the most cozy set of arms for a baby, a constant source of support and advice based on her lived experience and even when she started to have trouble with her balance, she continued to ask, “How can I help?”

When living in her home became difficult, Janet and her dog, Missy, were welcomed into the home of her daughter, Kathy and son-in-law, Steve, where she was cared for with love and patience for many years, surrounded by grandchildren and a lively bunch of great-grandchildren, who filled the house with noise and laughter.

She will be missed by her children, Susan Skillings, Gail Wallace, Bruce Adams, Kathy Sloat and Ruth Adams; 14 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and her siblings, William J. Cavers, Joyce Marcoux, Martha Seger and Linda Zimmerman.

Janet was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Gordon; two siblings, Richard Cavers II and Lois Laliberte; her son, Mark Adams; and two grandchildren.