Cover photo for Janet Wade's Obituary
Janet Wade Profile Photo
Janet

Janet Wade

d. November 26, 2020

Janet May Wade, 92, was called to her rest and the glory of the Resurrection promised by the Lord on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2020 at Mount Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Manchester, NH.

Janet was a devoted and loving wife to Thayer, her five children, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; she touched the lives of all who knew her with a heart of great optimism and compassion, and an enthusiasm and happiness for life that made their lives richer, fuller, and more joyful.

Janet was known for her incredible optimism and positive attitude. She had a simple yet profound faith, joyful and compassionate heart for all she met, and was known as an active listener with engaging laughter, a gifted writer and poet, a wonderful conversationalist, a joyful homemaker who left no detail incomplete or unresolved, accomplished seamstress, and creative interior designer. But she was most known for her lifelong devotion and love for her best friend and husband Thayer over their 68 years of marriage, her five children and their spouses, and her 17 grandchildren and 2 great- grandchildren.

Janet was born in Quincy, MA, on April 15, 1928 as the 4th of 6 daughters to John Charles (Charlie) Arsenault and Clara May (Delorey) Arsenault, and was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Church in Quincy.

Janet attended parochial elementary schools and Quincy High School where she graduated in the Class of 1945, excelling in Latin, grammar, spelling and writing. She was a cheerleader, model and remembered by her classmates as the "Girl with the Prettiest Smile" and "Class Heartbreaker." Janet was "Miss Quincy Massachusetts of 1946," at the age of 17.

After high school Janet earned her Associates Degree in Business from Fisher Business College in Boston, and served as an Executive Secretary for a Boston insurance company.

In 1950 Janet married Thayer D. Wade, moving to Plymouth, NH, where she served as the Executive Secretary to the President of Plymouth Teachers College. Janet supported Thayer in his professional career as a public school teacher, administrator and superintendent. Thayer attributed his career success to the optimism, intelligence, and dedication Janet brought to their life and marriage together. Janet was fond of saying, "You don't get anywhere in life without hard work," a creed she lived her whole life as a wife and mother to four boys and one daughter.

Janet's love of cooking and family led to many wonderful memories of family and feasts, and Janet treated her lifelong study of nutrition as her avocation. However, life was to be lived with joy and creativity, so a delicious (often chocolate) dessert was made first, followed by a well-balanced and nutritious home-cooked meal.

Janet and Thayer designed, built and remodeled 19 homes and cottages. She took design classes at the University of NH and dabbled in her own business. Janet's success inside the house was matched by her love of landscaping and flowers that filled the outside of every home. With her amazing "green thumb" many flower boxes, decks, docks and garden yards were filled with bright colored plants and flowers.

Of all the places she lived, Janet cherished her summers on Sleepers Island, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH the most. In the quiet early morning hours, with the sun sparkling off the water, or listening to the unseen waves, she found her poetic voice, writing poetry for the sheer joy of living a moment in time in the fullness of life.

As Janet lived her life to the fullest, she loved life filled with family and friends. Each of her five children, always had her full attention. She inspired each of her children to pursue their dreams, then worked tirelessly doing whatever was needed to enhance the ability of her own children to achieve success. As a "Mom" she was always actively involved in all aspects of their lives. She extended this deep love of her children to each of their spouses, and all 17 of her grandchildren.

A lifelong Roman Catholic dedicated to her faith, Janet saw "Church" as a gift not an obligation and never missed "Sunday Mass." Janet's love of the Blessed Mother especially with her daily recitation of the Rosary, attendance at First Friday Masses dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. "Keep your faith simple but love it" was often Janet's exhortation to her children and grandchildren as she taught them all to pray the prayer to their Guardian Angel daily.

She loved her grandchildren with the same enthusiastic affection that she gave her own children, always taking an interest in what they were doing, always having positive words of encouragement and positive praise available while also making worthwhile suggestions when asked. The delight of every grandchild was the ever-present chocolate kisses, gumdrops, or Hershey bar offered at any visit, "don't worry sweets never spoiled anyone's supper."

Janet was predeceased by her husband Thayer on January 19, 2019, and her daughter-in-law Rhonda Wade of Rye, NH, in 2004. Janet's surviving sisters are Martha Clark and Nancy Penney, both of Manchester, NH.

Janet leaves behind her son Steven and wife Patricia Wade of Concord, NH and their two children Mollie, and Gregg and his wife Karolina and great grandson Henry; son Briand Wade of Rye, NH and his three children, Gretchen, Annie and Sarah; daughter Margaret Wade of Manchester, NH and her three children Tyler and Alex Jappe, and Kirby Brown and great-grandson Charles Brown; son Peter and wife Lisa Wade of Chichester, NH and their five children Amanda, Abigail, Anna, Aili, and Peter; son Geoffrey and wife Margaret Wade of Needham, MA and their four children, Thayer, Geoffrey, Elizabeth and Patrick.

Janet deeply touched the lives of all who knew her, and left those she knew better off for her love, faith, care and friendship.

SERVICES: Those wishing to pay their respects are invited to visiting hours from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at Lambert Funeral Home, 1799 Elm St., Manchester.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, 189 North Main St., Rochester, NH, burial to follow at holy Rosary Cemetery, Rochester, NH.

In lieu of flowers, consider donation to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Janet's name.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Janet Wade, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Walk-through Visitation (Please wear a mask)

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory

1799 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03104

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Mass of Christian Burial

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Starts at 10:00 am (Eastern time)

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary

189 N Main St, Rochester, NH 03867

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