ROCKPORT — Our Mom, “Ma”, “Grandma”, “Nanny”, Janice Elaine (Small) Graffam passed away peacefully on Jul 20, 2024 surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with cancer and Alzheimer’s. 

Born on November 13, 1940 in Gardiner, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Carl W. Small Sr. and Dorothy Arlene Holt Small. The family moved to Rockport in 1947 when her father became minister in the Rockport Baptist Church, later serving at the West Rockport Baptist Church and the Rockville Chapel.

Mom attended Rockport schools, graduating from Rockport High School in 1959. On September 9, 1962, she married her childhood sweetheart, Edward (Sandy) Maynard Graffam Jr. They began their married life in Orono while Sandy finished his education at the University of Maine. They returned to Rockport for a short time until moving to Melrose and Reading, Massachusetts for a few years, while Sandy and his brother Jim ran an extension of the family lobster business in Boston. It was during this time that their daughter, Kim, and son, Ted, were born. Each time, Jan made sure she was back in Maine to give birth. In 1969, following the death of Sandy’s father, the family moved back to Maine permanently.

A devoted Mom, she could be seen at all the school concerts, plays and sporting events or driving the horse trailer to horse shows during the wee hours of the morning. Many hours were spent at Walker Park in the summers, trips to Santa’s Village, sightseeing in the White Mountains and family trips to Disney.

Mom was never one to shy away from fun and adventure. She and Dad loved to go out on weekends. They could be seen cutting the rug at the Legion Hall dances with the Chessman playing their favorite songs or visiting friends on Sunday afternoons with the kids in tow. Snowmobiling was a fun hobby for the whole family with trips north to explore in winter. There were so many trips she went on…riding mopeds in Bermuda, traveling to Switzerland with Dad and friends, a river cruise just a few years ago with friends, numerous bus tours around New England or to NYC to see the Rockettes or Boston to see a play with grandkids, many cruises to tropical ports and even to Alaska. 

Her friends were an integral part of her life. There were many afternoon social hours with Aunt Donna and their friends, daily coffee group at the Rockport diner, afternoons with friends at the Rockport Marine Park or sitting on the Camden Riverhouse Hotel pedestrian bridge amongst the flowers.

Mom had been involved in the Rockport Garden Club, Women’s Club and 4-H Extension. In the last decade of her life, she and a few friends began volunteering for Meals On Wheels, which became a labor of love. She enjoyed meeting many people and took great joy in helping others.

With her outgoing personality, Jan was full of piss and vinegar, caring and generous to a fault. She loved to do small kindnesses for others, such as a trinket of their favorite character, a gift card or a picnic lunch. She had an impeccable sense of style with her well-coordinated outfits and accessories, particularly her flip flops. She loved Elvis, flip flops, sunflowers and Hallmark movies. Mom was a woman of routine. For the last few years, she loved to spend much of her day at  the seafood market after having coffee at the diner. She would greet friends as they came in to shop, share stories with the crew or join her friend Tim late mornings when he would stop by at breaktime for a snack. 

Mom cherished her grandchildren and took great pride in all of their accomplishments. She was a regular at all the school sporting events wearing red and white Camden Rockport colors, cheering them on. She also never missed band and chorus concerts, and school plays. Spending time with her grandchildren and supporting their activities was very important. Whether it was a lunch date, shopping, hanging out at home watching Barney, going out for ice cream, sleepovers, trips to Dunkin’s, or spending time at camp, Jan loved all of these times.  

In addition to her parents, Jan was predeceased by her husband, Sandy, and her sister, Donna Lermond.

Surviving is her daughter, Kimberlee Graffam and husband Leni Gronros, their children, Megan Alvarez and her husband, Victor and children Jovani and Lulu, Ghost (nee Marika), Lilly and Kylli Gronros; her son, Edward (Ted) Graffam III and his children, Brandon Graffam and wife, Martina and daughter, Olia and unborn son, Orlin Edward, Ryan Graffam and wife Miranda and daughter Charlotte and unborn daughter, Hannah Elaine, Connor Graffam and Carly Strunk, and Ella Graffam; her brother Carl (Skip) Small Jr and his wife Kathleen; several cousins, nieces and nephews.  

Mom also leaves behind her best friend, Glenna Drinkwater.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Meals on Wheels, c/o MCH Inc., 39 Summer Street, Rockland, ME 04841. Or donate online: https://mchinc.org/meals-on-wheels/

A celebration of life followed by a reception will be held Sunday, August 4, 2024, at 3 p.m., at the Rockport Opera House. In honor of Jan, please wear bright colors, flip flops and accessorize. Additional parking will be available at Graffam Bros Seafood Market at 211 Union St, with shuttle van to the Opera House for those in need.

Condolences may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. 

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.