#Middlebury
Longtime Middlebury resident
Janet Rita (Bova) Slater Lafond, 86, left this life very unexpectedly Thursday, April 25, 2019, at her Middlebury home, where she had lived for more than 30 years. Her loving daughter Cathy has lived with and cared for her mother for the past six years.
Janet was born in Waterbury on March 18, 1933, and grew up in Oakville with very loving parents. She graduated from Watertown High School in 1951. She also lived in Woodbury for many years. She raised her family there and later was the bookkeeper for Regional School District 14 for 10 years.
Janet was the proud and loving mother of seven children; she was the cruise director and ran a tight ship! She was a great lover and fierce supporter of all animals but she especially loved cats. She was a very talented and creative seamstress and homemaker. She taught herself to play the piano and loved Beethoven. She was quite talkative and friendly and could start a conversation with just about anyone. Janet also was very handy and self-sufficient, possessing generous amounts of common sense.
Janet was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Jeanette (Boulanger) Bova; her first husband, Frederic Slater; her second husband, Robert Lafond; her devoted son, Bruce Edward Slater; and her precious cat, Rogue.
Janet is survived by her six loving children, David Peter Slater (Christine), Diane Marie (Slater) Shursen (Ron), Linda Janet (Slater) Sadlon (Jonathan), Cathy Ann Slater, Robyn Elise Lafond, and Robert Arthur Lafond. She also is survived by her siblings, Robert Bova, Claire (Bova) Michaud, and Marilyn (Bova) Dillon; and Marion Slater (Frederic). She also is survived by her grandchildren, Rebecca Joy (Slater) Manson (Joey), Peter Matthew Slater (Maire), Jennifer Ann (Slater) Elhorst (Ben), Chelsea Lynn Slater, James Robert Shursen, Hannah Robyn Shursen, Chelsea Bova Sadlon, and Natalie Clarise Slater Sadlon; as well as several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, friends, and fellow Middlebury residents. She also is survived by her cherished furry grandsons, Harley, Gusser, and Acey.
A memorial service to celebrate Janet’s life will be held at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home at 235 Main Street N. in Woodbury Saturday, May 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome to an animal shelter of your choice. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.
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