Janet Hedges Thivierge

Janet Hedges Thivierge, a woman of deep faith, love and, above all, kindness, died peacefully February 23, 2025, at the age of 77 in Palm Bay, FL.

Formerly of Ledyard, CT, Janet was born September 10, 1947, in Northfield, VT, to the late George and Margaret Hedges. She was the second of George and Margaret’s four daughters.

Janet moved to Ledyard in 1968 with the love of her life, Roger Thivierge, Jr., who survives her. Upon retirement, they relocated to Florida in 2008, settling in Viera, a community that provided them a warm welcome and many new friendships. Their marriage of 56 years served as an inspiration to many for its formation in love, compromise and true partnership.

First and foremost a wife and mother, Janet’s love for her family was unconditional, supporting Roger and her children in countless events and activities. Janet had a deep affinity for, and interest in, nature. Her flower garden in Ledyard was her pride and joy, and she was quick to utilize her reference book to identify the different varieties of birds that kept her bath and feeders full on a regular basis. When Janet wasn’t reading a book herself, she could often be found reading to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, providing them with lifelong memories of time spent together. She also completed many sewing projects for her family, and her homemade rolls were legendary, made with a recipe passed through her family and utilized by her children and grandchildren to this day.

Janet and Roger adapted to retirement life effortlessly, easily building a new circle of friends in the welcoming community they chose as their new home. While continuing her affinity for all things nature, Janet also kept busy with book club, water aerobics and outings with friends and family. Roger and Janet discovered cruising in their retirement years, among other adventures. And, no matter where they traveled, Janet always looked forward to annual trips back to New England with stays in Connecticut and her native Green Mountain State.

Before retirement, Janet spent 37 years delivering The Day newspaper with Roger to hundreds of customers in southeastern Connecticut. They completed their 60-mile route faithfully each day, no matter the weather. She also worked as a school bus driver. Her most rewarding work, however, was as a paraprofessional at Gallup Hill School. Janet worked with students studying English as a second language, and her care and attention to these students was most evident by her staying in contact with many of them over the years.

In addition to Roger, Janet will be dearly missed by her three children: Renee (Michael) O’Farrell of Norwich, CT; Stephanie (Sean) Boates of Monroe, NC; and Roger (Erika) Thivierge III of Melbourne, FL. Janet will also be missed by her grandchildren (Christopher, Corey, Collin, Coty, Aidan, Erin and Lillian) and great grandchildren (Maverick and Carley) who provided her with so many moments of joy throughout the years. Her three sisters (JoAnne, Georgia and Jill) also survive.

A funeral mass will be held March 29 at 11 am at Saint John the Evangelist in Viera, FL. The family will also celebrate Janet’s life this summer in her home state of Vermont.

In lieu of donations, the family requests that you honor Janet’s life and her love of nature by planting a flower in her memory.