THOMASTON - Janis Carol (Simmons) Lawson, 79, passed away on Jan. 31, 2017, at the Sussman House in Rockport, having lost her battle with dementia/ Alzheimer’s disease, with her loving family by her side.

Janis was born on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1937, to parents Irving Simmons and Florence Spence Simmons at the Knox Hospital in Rockland.

Having lived in Thomaston for many years, she worked at the area seafood processing canneries as well as taking care of clients in their homes. She was an "accomplished" crabmeat picker in the area for many years. Janis was always known as a hardworking, independent woman and her family says she would prefer to give than receive and had a big heart and would do anything for others.

Some of Janis's favorite pastimes were doing crafts, country music, being involved in her grandchildrens lives and so fondly recalled the times she got to travel to New York and Nashville, Tenn. Everyone who knew her opted to call her "Ma," whether related or not.

Left to cherish her memories are her daughters, Vickie Simmons and her companion, Rob McLellan, of Thomaston, and Holly Lawson and her fiance, Scott Lermond, of Rockport; and her son, Robert Lawson Jr. and his companion, Paula Byrnes, of Cushing. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Justin McLellan, Nathan McLellan, Jessie Lermond, Lacey Lermond, Renee Lawson and Shawn Sprague; three great-grandchildren, Leah, Sophia and Noah; two sisters, Gwen Poland of Round Pond and Linda Maloney of Cushing; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Janis was predeceased by her parents; her two husbands, Virgil Simmons and Robert Lawson; her infant daughter, Renee Lynn; and her brother, Robert Simmons.

A graveside service will be held for Janis in the Spring of 2017, when Janis will be laid to rest in the Harbor Cemetery in Friendship.

Hall's of Thomaston has care of the arrangements.