Mary “Janice” (Grogan) Oliva 79 of Yarmouth Port passed away Monday February 10, 2020, after battling a long term illness.

She was the loving wife of the late Francis Oliva. They were married for 58 wonderful years. She is survived by a son, Michael Oliva and his wife, Linda; three daughters, Barbara Rodrigues and her husband, Carlos, Suzanne Oliva and her partner, Joel Botsford, and Deborah Oliva; her brothers Ronald Grogan and his wife, Linda, Stephen Grogan and his wife, Mary, and Thomas Grogan and his wife, Deborah; two sisters, Sandra Amber and her husband, Robert, and Christine George and her husband, Robert; a sister-in-law, Brenda Grogan; three grandchildren, Matthew Pulsifer and his wife Lisa, Jessica Sanphy and her husband, Reid, and Michael Oliva and his wife, Katherine; two great grandchildren, Lucille Pulsifer, and Camden Oliva; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Janice was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Cecilia (Higgins) Grogan; her brothers, Richard and Paul Grogan; and her sisters, Lucille Gately and Clare Maki.

Born in Weymouth, where she loved to roller skate, Janice was the daughter of the late Henry and Cecilia (Higgins) Grogan. She graduated from Weymouth High School in 1958 and later worked at the Weymouth Town Hall before moving to Cape Cod. Janice acted as a caregiver for her younger siblings, especially after their father passed away at a young age, and their mother was ill.

Janice married Fran on May 6th, 1961. They enjoyed many driving vacations together to Maine, Pennsylvania, and places in between. Their home was filled with love, and many cats and dogs over the years. She seemed happiest raising her family and was beloved by her children’s friends. Over the years many of them brought their families to the neighborhood on Halloween to get one of the famous full-sized candy bars she passed out.

She took an active role in raising all three of her grandchildren, and was especially involved in her eldest grandson’s life from birth, and for as long as she was able, told him that her home was “his home” too. Her home provided food, and a fun, safe place to play for many friends throughout the years.

Janice stopped whatever she was doing, whether you wanted her to or not, to get you something from the kitchen as soon as you walked in the door. Usually a Pepsi, and her favorite treat, a Devil Dog. There was no quick visit to her home as Janice loved to talk for hours about everything, and nothing at the same time.

Janice loved cooking both in her kitchen and outside on the grill, and for many, many years, hosted Sunday night dinner for the entire family. The tradition ebbed and flowed over the years, but continued in some form until she was no longer physically able.

She often spent most of the day in her gardens, and was a passionate reader who read nearly every day; often finishing a book a day. She also enjoyed following and discussing politics.

Janice loved walking, and walked the neighborhood hundreds, maybe thousands, of times over the years, often with at least one dog in tow.

Through it all, the latter part of Janice’s life was affected by her severe Rheumatoid Arthritis, but unless you already knew about it, she wouldn’t let you know, never letting on how bad her pain was, and always saying that she was “hanging in there” before tending to your needs before her own. She rarely, if ever, mentioned her pain, and powered through for many years.

In her final years, Janice was happiest in the presence of her great-grandchildren, and even as her memory and ability to respond diminished, lit up in the presence of her great-grandchildren, often saying Lucy was “hers.”

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday February 20, in St. Pius X Church, Station Ave., South Yarmouth.

Interment will follow at 1 p.m. in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

Visiting hours will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday February 16 in the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org or to a worthy charity of your choosing.

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