THOMASTON — Janice D. Cross, “Mammie,” went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 27, 2018 at her home with her loving children by her side, following an extended illness.

Born in Rockland on December 10, 1946, she was the daughter of Kendrick and Norma Prescott Dorman.

She attended Thomaston schools and was in the first graduating class of Georges Valley High School.

Janice received her hairdressers license from Central Beauty School at Augusta. She worked for Gilbert’s Beauty Salon in Rockland, ran a home beauty shop and, in later years, worked as a hairdresser for Carpenter Funeral Home.

She was a matron at the Knox County Jail for several years. She also worked for her father at Dorman’s Dairy Dream in Thomaston from an early age and then became the owner in 1986. Janice operated that business for 27 years until retiring in 2013.

Janice was a kind, generous, loving person, who always wanted to give help to anyone in need. She was an active member of Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church. She served on many boards and committees, volunteered at Pen Bay Christian School, participated in the choir, lead VBS and taught Sunday school. Janice loved to sing and performed in the Living Christmas Tree for many years.  

Janice loved her family. Her son and daughter were her life and when she became a grandmother her world was complete. She adored her grandchildren, they were everything to her.

Janice was a people person and enjoyed working with the public. Many of her customers were like family and she looked forward to seeing them, their children and grandchildren season after season. When she was the owner of the ice cream business, a child at church was diagnosed with leukemia. This little girl asked Janice if she could put a collection jar at the stand for customers to donate their change to benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program. During the last 17 years, over $170,000 has been raised for that program.  

Other than her parents Janice was predeceased by several aunts, uncles, cousins, a nephew and niece.  

She is survived by her children, her daughter Julie Sanborn and her husband, Darryl Sanborn of Thomaston, her son John Cross, Jr. of Warren; her former husband John Cross and his wife Gail of Thomaston; a sister, Peggy Dean and her husband, Harold of Turner; a brother Wayne Dorman and his wife Bonnie of Ammon, Idaho; grandchildren Darryl Sanborn, Jr., Anna Sanborn, Justin Sanborn, and Nicholas Sanborn of Thomaston, Emilee Cross of Portland, and Bella Cross, of Thomaston and their mother Dominique Bayerdorffer of Dexter; her very special aunt, Margaret “Margie” McKusic of Owls Head, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews as well as dear friends, and her church family.

Per her request there will be no service at this time. A graveside service will take place in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pen Bay Christian School, One Waldo Avenue Avenue, Rockland, ME 04861 or Maine Children’s Cancer Program, 100 Campus Drive, Unit 107, Scarborough, ME 04074.

To share a memory or story with Janice’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.