1941 – 2016

ANDOVER, Conn. — Janice Tardiff Moffitt, 75, of Andover, Conn., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her immediate family Monday, Oct. 31, after a difficult yearlong battle with cancer.

Janice was born May 25, 1941, in Lewiston, and is the daughter of the (late) Roland and Marguerite (Cunion) Tardiff. She has also resided in Franklin, N.H., Newtown, Conn., and has been a resident of Andover, Conn., since 1986.

Janice attended Lewiston High School, graduating in 1959, and Gorham State Teachers College, graduating in 1963. Following college graduation, Janice decided that she was up for more adventure than Lewiston could offer. She joined the Peace Corps and served in the Philippines from 1963 to 1965. When she spoke of her time in the Peace Corps, it was clear that it was one of the most exciting and fulfilling adventures of her life.

Janice was married to the late James H. Moffitt III, also of Lewiston, in 1967. They remained together until his passing in 1994. Together, they leave behind three children, Jim Moffitt and his wife, Lisa Moffitt, of Manchester, Conn., Peggy Moffitt Earnest, and her husband, Brad Earnest, of Columbia, Conn., and Tim Moffitt and his wife, Christine Ruiz Moffitt, of Columbia, Conn. Janice once said that her greatest talent was being a mother, and what she learned well as a mother, she perfected as a grandmother to her six grandchildren, Joel and Adam Moffitt of Manchester, Conn., Kyle, Danielle, and Julianne Earnest of Columbia, Conn., and Collin Moffitt, also of Columbia. Janice’s grandchildren have been blessed to have grown up surrounded by her boundless love, energy, humility and giving spirit. She has been very involved in each and every one of their lives, serving as surrogate mother, chauffeur, nurse, chef, entertainer, cheerleader and baby sitter. Her passing leaves an unfillable void in the lives of those she left behind.

Though Janice enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom, she also held several jobs. Most recently, she worked for the University of Connecticut in the financial aid department, until she retired at the age of 70. Besides her children and grandchildren, Janice leaves behind a beloved and special sister, Jacqueline (Tardiff) Palubinskas and her husband, Ben Palubinskas, of Wesbrook; and three nieces whom she adored. She also leaves behind countless good friends.

In her free time, Janice thoroughly enjoyed anything that allowed her to be outside, even if it would be considered “work” to the rest of us. She loved raking leaves, working in her yard, mowing her lawn, shoveling snow under the stars and taking long walks with friends. After her retirement, she found great entertainment line dancing with the ladies in Andover.

Since her earliest days in Maine, she found freedom in the water. She enjoyed swimming on lakes, in rivers, and was especially drawn to the ocean. She spoke nostalgically of time spent walking the boardwalk and swimming in the waters of Old Orchard Beach, and never shied away from jumping into the chilly lakes of Vermont while on vacation with her family.

Janice was a 30-year member of St. Columba Catholic Church in Columbia, Conn., and was active on several committees over the years. She was a humble woman who enjoyed quietly doing things for others without concern for self-recognition.

May you rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus.

To leave a message for her family, please visit www.holmes-watkinsfuneralhomes.com.