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

Born in 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-plus 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 twelfth time. They settled back home in Oxford.

Retirement was spent at their home in St. Petersburg, Fla. 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 following services. To share Memories and condolences with the family please go to http://www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com. Arrangements are under the care of Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main St., Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the

Oxford Congregation Church

P.O. Box 222,

Oxford, ME 04270

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