Janet Lucille Peirce, 76, of South Yarmouth, formerly of Hopkinton and Newton, passed away peacefully with her family at her side on July 18th. Born in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late Paul and Helen (Halloran) Benger and wife of G. Michael Peirce.

Raised in Waltham, she graduated from Waltham High School in 1966 and then UMass Amherst in 1970 with a degree in English. It was there she met her husband in the second week of college when she took the wrong class. (She also always wondered why she was attracted to the geeky looking guy who wore sneakers to class.) For many years she worked for New England Telephone where she made her lifelong friends Sandra, Carol, and Heather. In 1991 she received her MBA from Bentley College, although she missed graduation because they brought their son, Michael, home from the hospital that same day. The years spent with Michael as a stay-at-home mom were her favorite and she loved that time more than any other. She later went to work as a bookkeeper for several law offices, including her husband's, where she would track any discrepancy down to the penny.

Janet was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She had a quick wit and after a particularly good quip could often be heard saying, "Sometimes I crack me up!"  Her interests were many but some of the things she loved most were New England in the fall, Sandy Neck, decorating for Christmas and filling Christmas stockings, cold pillows, Vermont, and gardening. She was a great one for taking the side roads and exploring other ways to get to the same place, much to the chagrin of her husband (which she could not understand). An avid reader, she read 3-4 books a week and worked the puzzles in the newspaper every day for years. She loved going out in their little 12-foot boat but was quick to note it was the smallest boat by far wherever they docked. She always wanted to go out for Thanksgiving dinner, but instead going along with  her two Michaels, and always ended up hosting a beautiful Thanksgiving feast.

Janet leaves behind her loving husband of 51 years, Mike, and her son Michael; her brother Kevin and his wife Kelli; her cousin Kathy Gray (Larry), who was the sister she never had; her "pool peeps" Helen, Kathy, Pam and Nancy, who were absolutely cherished friends who brought her so much joy and laughter; and had much love for her niece Jennifer and her 4 children Austin, Chase, Alex and Leia. She was predeceased by her parents and her older brother, Paul (Sheila).

Funeral services are private and will be held at a later date. Donations in Janet's memory may be made to the Hyannis VNA (Hospice Care), 25 Communication Wy, Hyannis, MA 02601 or Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center, Cape Cod Hospital, 27 Park Street, Hyannis, MA 02601.