Janet Bernice (Finson) Dickerson, 72, died peacefully at her home with her loving husband and family by her side on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 following a brief illness.

Janet, an identical twin, was born June 14, 1935 in Sanford, the daughter of Roger and Bernice Finson of South Berwick. She attended school in South Berwick and Wells and graduated from Wells High School in 1953.

On September 15th, 1956, she married the love of her life, Dan Dickerson, whom she had been best friends with in high school. They built a home in Wells where they have lived since shortly after getting married. They celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary last year.

Jan was an active volunteer in many organizations throughout her life including the Wells Ogunquit Historical Society, the Webhannet Garden Club of Wells and Ogunquit, a 25 year member of Friends in Service Here (F.I.S.H), the Ridge Readers neighborhood book club, the Town of Wells Preservation Committee, a docent at the Division #9 schoolhouse in Wells and a very active and involved member of The Congregational Church of Wells, being part of the Women's Fellowship, the Diaconate, F.A.C.E.S., and a church delegate.

Jan enjoyed quilting, sewing and reading and was also an avid gardener. Many of her friends and neighbors delighted in having plants in their own garden that were started in Jan's. She loved all forms of nature and delighted in seeing birds and wildlife visit her yard all year long. She loved written correspondence and was famous for her many notes, cards and letters to friends, family and acquaintances that she sent throughout her life. She and Dan loved to travel alone and with friends and visited most of the United States, Canada and parts of Mexico at different points in their lives. They also enjoyed traveling via cruise ship to many exotic islands and ports of call. She loved hosting parties and gatherings for her family and friends including her annual Fourth of July picnic.

Jan loved to go dancing with her husband and they were "regulars" wherever Straight Lace was playing and anytime there was a dance or New Years Eve party at Spring Hill in South Berwick. Some of the happiest days of her life were the 36 summers spent with her family at the camp on Mousam Lake in Shapleigh. She loved entertaining friends and family there and she enjoyed spotting loons and taking moonlit cruises around the lake. Janet was an incredibly warm, caring, and loving person who made an impact on the lives of all who knew her throughout her beautiful life.

Janet was immensely loved and will be forever missed by her husband Dan Dickerson, her son Tom and his wife Patte, her daughter Tam Gowen and her husband Tim, her son Terry and his wife Margaret, her daughter Tracy Thibodeaux and her husband Gary, grandchildren Steve Moisen and his wife Kristen, Justin Gowen, Preston Gowen, Amber Gowen, Kayla Navarro and Kyle Navarro, Godchildren Alaina and Audrey Borst, her identical twin sister Janice B. Dickerson and her husband Bill and her sister Pamela Reeves and her husband Peter. She also leaves behind cherished brothers and sisters in-law, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, an aunt, cousins and many, many close friends.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, April 4, 2008 from noon to 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bibber Memorial Chapel, 111 Chapel Road, Wells. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at The Congregational Church of Wells, 1695 Post Road (Route 1 North), Wells. A graveside service will follow at Ocean View Cemetery, Route 1, Wells.