Obituary of Janice H. Smith

Janice H. (Finley) Smith, age 94, of Billerica, MA., passed away peacefully at home on October 27th. Janice was born May 16, 1930 in Brighton, MA. to the late Evelythe (Hill) (Finley) Eldridge and the late Charles Finley. Janice was predeceased by her husband Arthur L. Smith and best friend Nancy C. Lund. She is survived by her loving daughter, Susan Heider, her beloved grandsons, James Heider, Jr. and his partner Alina Porzio, Eric Heider and his wife Jackie and her beautiful great-granddaughter Lyla.

Janice is also survived by her sisters Gloria (Finley) LaVallee, Charlene (Finley) Grady, Loraine (Finley) Thomas, Deborah (Finley) McDermott and predeceased by Pamela (Finley) Girard. She is also survived by her loving niece Cyndi Dotten and her husband Phil, nephew Larry LaVallee and his wife Loueen, and neice Renee Richard.

The best of times were spent with family and friends, weekly dinners and card games. Visiting Gloria, Frank, Larry and Cyndi on weekends at Baptist Pond in Chelmsford, swimming, boating, snowmobiling, Sunday dinners and card games. Summer weekends were spent with the Lund family at Blackmans Point, Brant Rock on the beach, boating and playing cards, or with her mom at Crystal Lake in Carver shopping and dining. Janice’s nickname was Dusty because she was always moving around, sweeping, cleaning, dusting, cooking, and all kinds of home maintenance projects. 

Janice’s career included the James O. Welch Co. candy manufacturer, this job made her very popular with all the children. She also had many other jobs in the hospitality industry. She spent her retirement years with her grandsons JJ and Eric, dropping them off and picking them up from preschool, lunch at Deli King and off to Blaire House to visit her mother. She taught the boys many card games including poker, her favorites were 5 card stud with nothing wild and 7 card no-peak. Many fun days and nights were spent at Nana’s playing cards and swimming. Janice was known as Nana Jan to JJ and Eric’s friends who fondly remember her as a sweet spunky lady.

The family would like to thank Guardian Angels of Billerica MA, especially Jen, thank you for hanging with Janice on Tuesdays, she looked forward to her days with you. Also, a huge thank you to Beth Israel Lahey Health Hospice Care, Allison and Nanci, your care and compassion were wonderful. Memorial visitation will be held, Friday, November 1, in the Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Rd., (Rt. 3A), Billerica from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, friends and family are invited to dinner at Susan's home after the service.