Jane Elizabeth (Aikens) Gagnon was born on November 26, 1947, in Brockton, MA. Raised in Hingham, MA, she was the eldest of her five siblings. After graduating from Hingham High School, she continued her education at the School of Fashion Design in Boston, MA, where she created a designer’s line of children’s clothing. This marked the beginning of her lifelong love of sewing and creating beautiful keepsakes for those she loved.

Sewing was not Jane’s only talent. An accomplished baker, crafter, and gardener, she loved nothing more than baking someone’s favorite treat and delivering it—even if that meant mailing it or shipping it overseas to someone stationed far from home. She enjoyed drawing, painting ceramics, working in her gardens, and tending to her houseplants. She eventually taught herself to knit, often spending evenings knitting while watching television after a full day of work and baking. Her handmade blankets frequently welcomed a new baby, accompanied by a loving note and a handmade christening bonnet. The babies who received them were surely wrapped in Miss Jane’s love.

Jane considered being a mother her most important role, surpassed only by being a grandmother. Known lovingly as Mammie, she embraced the motto on the sign in her kitchen: “Grandmas are moms with extra frosting.” She adored sleepovers with her grandsons, bedtime stories, baking projects, and spoiling her grandboys with extra desserts. “Ice Cream Soup” was a fan favorite. Her grandmotherly love extended well beyond her own grandchildren. To many children, she was Mammie or Grammie Mammie, and she loved every minute of that role.

Jane worked for many years with children and young adults with severe disabilities, growing attached to each of them and loving them dearly. She later returned to school to earn her LNA and cared for elderly clients, many of whom became lifelong friends. Through the Foster Grandparent program, she spent more than 15 years serving in elementary schools in Derry and Hudson and was honored as Foster Grandparent of the Year. Everyone loved having Miss Jane in their classrooms. Rather than visiting just once or twice a week for a few hours, she was there every day, for nearly the entire school day. She took her role in those children’s lives quite seriously.

In her last several years, Jane struggled with frontotemporal dementia and primary progressive aphasia. She lost most of her speech and language abilities, including the ability to write her personal notes and speak with loved ones on the phone. Eventually, dementia also took away her ability to sew, knit, and bake. Each loss was devastating, but she never lost her overwhelmingly large heart, her love for others, her kindness and generosity, or her unique ability to make everyone feel that they belonged, were special, and were loved. Despite the many battles she faced throughout her life, Jane left her mark on this world.

Jane was a devoted mother to her children, Jason Gagnon and Nicole Smith. Her son-in-law, Brandon Smith, held a special place in her heart, and her family often teased her that he was her favorite child. She is also survived by her pride and joy, her grandsons Joshua Thomas and Benjamin Noah, who were the lights of her life and the sparkle in her eyes. Nothing was more important to her than being their Mammie. She also leaves innumerable friends and family members, along with her beloved grand puppy, Hattie-Lu. She will be greatly missed and will live on through the memories and stories of those who loved her.

Her family extends a special thank-you to Rockingham County Nursing and Rehab Center and Brookhaven Hospice for the exceptional care Jane received. They have no doubt she was loved by the staff of both organizations. They also thank Brookside Chapel for its grace and compassionate care of their mother.

A celebration of Jane’s life will take place at a later date. In honor of her lifelong love of animals, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to the MSPCA Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970.