Janice M. Guyer

Janice Marie (Abate) Guyer, 86, of Salem, MA passed away on January 26, 2021 with her family at her side.  She died suddenly after a brief illness.

Born April 14, 1934 to Arthur and Mae Abate in Boston, she was raised in East Boston then Revere.  Janice was a proud graduate of Revere High School, Class of 1951.  Her first step into the outside world was as a stewardess (a proper and proud term at the time) for Eastern Airlines, flying between Boston, New York and Montreal.  She loved flying, and it kept her reasonably close to the love of her life Gerald Guyer.  They met at Revere High - she a drum majorette and he the star running back.  Her total devotion to Jerry was unwavering over 60 years of marriage.  In 1966 Janice and Jerry moved their young family to the “country” 25 minutes north.  Middleton, which at the time had more cows than people, was the perfect setting – a new development of 60 homes, all with young children, and a golf course within walking distance.  Later in life she worked for many years in social services, managing incoming traffic at the Center for Addictive Behavior in Salem.

She never forgot a birthday or missed an opportunity to celebrate life’s many joys, and took great pride in buying the perfect gift and preparing special meals.  Christmas was an especially happy time as she filled her home with family, friends, decorations, and good cheer.

Hosting parties was her passion - large amounts of Italian food and hospitality were thrust upon all who entered 13 Fuller Road.  The ultimate caregiver, she spent her life providing support to anyone and everyone in need.  Her example was beyond compare.  Janice lived the last year of her life at the Brookhouse Home and seemed never happier or more grateful.  Her days there were spent with newfound friends, watching old movies, and enthusiastically participating in all the activities she could fit in a day. 

Janice was predeceased by Jerry and her four siblings - Arthur (in WW2), Gerard aka Red, Gilda and Norma.  She is survived by Wayne (and Jean) from Beverly, Keith (and Lorraine) from Grafton, and Eric (and Katie) from Georgetown, and eight grandchildren - Andrew, Dylan, Ryan, Kasey, Kelly, Evan, Julia and Christopher. 

There is a private service with plans for a celebration of her life later in the year. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Brookhouse Home, 180 Derby St., Salem MA 01970 who take remarkable care of 35 women.

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