Janet Kay Grace
April 10, 1940 ~ January 23, 2025
Resided in:
Sanford, Maine
Janet K. Grace of Springvale, Maine, formerly of Tamworth, New Hampshire and Duncanville, Texas, passed away in her sleep in the early hours of January 23, 2025, at the home she shared with her son and daughter-in-law, after a brief battle with metastatic melanoma.
Janet was born on April 10, 1940, in North Conway, New Hampshire, the beloved daughter of the late Charles W. and Evelyn C. (Grames) Hill. She grew up in Center Conway, and graduated from Kennett High School in Conway, New Hampshire, where she met the love of her life, Robert Grace. They were married on December 6, 1958.
For the next 20 years, Janet and Bobby lived and traveled around the world with the Air Force. Though she “loved every minute of it”, they then returned to Tamworth in 1977 to build their dream home where they lived for over 40 years. After 25 years in the deli department, Janet retired from Shaw’s Supermarket; she then ran the Camp Store at White Lake State Park in Tamworth. When travel between Tamworth and their home in Duncanville, Texas became too much, they moved to Duncanville where Bobby passed away in 2023. Janet then made one final move, to come live with Jeff and Risa in Springvale.
Janet was predeceased by her parents, her husband, and her daughter, Lisa Schock. She left behind her son, Jeff (Risa) Grace of Springvale, Maine; and her daughter, Connie (Roland) Johnson of Wassaic, New York. She also left behind her sister, Carol (Tony) Prata of Beverly, Massachusetts; her son-in-law, James “Woody” Schock of Independence, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Stephanie Johnson James of New York, Karen (Gene Tuck) Johnson of New York, Paul (Bryn Edholm) Yahnke of Minnesota, Kenny Yahnke of Wisconsin, Danny Yahnke of Wisconsin, Clara (Jeff) Cracknell of Maine, and Chandler (Christie Graves) Grace of Texas; and many great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.
Janet was a unique, independent person who always let you know what she was thinking. She was loved by all who knew her for her entertaining ways, making people laugh with her dry humor. Through her two hip surgeries she kept pushing, determined to be able to get out and about, especially with her beloved friend and companion, Rachel Angis. Her favorite things to do were shopping and getting her nails done, which she did the Sunday before she passed. And after more than 40 days at Maine Medical Center, she couldn’t wait to get her hair cut, which she did the afternoon before she passed (thank you, Karen Matoin!). Once she was dolled up, she was ready to join those who went before.
A memorial will be held later in the year. She will be laid to rest with Bobby in the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.
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Janet was 4 years older than me. She was the ring leader. Our friend, Rachel, and I were the followers. We were very mischievous. Janet would take dad’s truck or car when he was fighting fire. He was a volunteer fireman. She had no license, but she would bomb around the fields. She knew where the key was to the town hall. We would go in there and roller skate at night in our baby doll pajamas. One time she put a bowl on my head and gave me a haircut. I was so embarrassed that I wore a sailors hat for a least a month. After that period of time, my mom took me for a normal haircut. These are just a very few of our devilish prank and shenanigans. We were devilish, but didn’t smoke, swear or drink. We had a lot of fun.
Said it like it was! You never had to wonder what her opinion was on the matter.
Janet was a dear friend and we spent a lot of time together, laughing and having fun with whatever we were doing.
We’ll always hold dear and the times we spent visiting Janet & Bob in New Hampshire. They were great hosts and we enjoyed learning so much about Janet’s childhood and meeting their many friends and family.
Even though we hadn’t seen her since she moved to Maine, we thoughtful of her often, missed her dearly and we still hold her close in our hearts.
Ww know she’s in Heaven with Jesus & Bob, so she’s in the best place. It’s just us who are on earth who mourn her passing.
She was a great encouragement from teens to elderly. I witnessed her being a friend to a young boy who just needed someone to hear his heart. She was compassionate, loving and shared wise advice.
Her determination was inspiring.
Thank you for all the laughs. Thank you for your sweet friendship.
I miss you.
I love you.
She loved going out to hand out Blessing Bags to the homeless.
She loved to go! Go anywhere and check things out.
She loved estate sales.
She loved meeting strangers.
She loved sharing her childhood & family.
She loved her family most of all.
I’ll always remember her love for community, she worked very hard to stay connected to her Community Group from TCAL. When Bob could not drive her, she would navigate the somewhat long drive. Later, dear friends from church would drive and pick her up so she could be there. Everyone loved her company because she was always happy and never complained.
When we would go to brunch after church and all she would order was a strawberry shake. She loved her strawberry shakes. If we picked up one she didn’t really care for, she would let you know. Her brutal honesty made us all laugh.
Janet valued family (most) & friends.
Janet’s character was honesty, love and faithfulness.
My aunt
May joyful memories ease your sorrow.
I just loved her laugh and of course her bantering with Uncle Bobby. They were such a fun couple.
Her sense of humor was wonderful