Janet Rita (Bova) Slater Lafond, 86, left this life very unexpectedly at her Middlebury home on Thursday, April 25, 2019, where she had lived for more than 30 years.   Her loving daughter Cathy has lived with and cared for her mother for the past 6 years.

She was born in Waterbury on March 18, 1933, and grew up in Oakville with very loving parents.  She graduated from Watertown High School in 1951.  She also lived in Woodbury for many years where she raised her family and later was the bookkeeper for Regional #14 Schools for 10 years.   Janet was the proud and loving mother of 7 children; she was the cruise director and ran a tight ship!  She was a great lover and fierce supporter of all animals but she especially loved cats.  She was a very talented and creative seamstress and homemaker.  She taught herself to play the piano and loved Beethoven.  She was quite talkative and friendly and could start a conversation with just about anyone.  Janet was also very handy and self-sufficient, possessing generous amounts of common sense.

Janet was predeceased by her parents Peter and Jeanette (Boulanger) Bova; her first husband Frederic Slater; her second husband Robert Lafond; her devoted son Bruce Edward Slater, and her precious cat Rogue.

Janet is survived by her 6 loving children, David Peter Slater (Christine), Diane Marie (Slater) Shursen (Ron), Linda Janet (Slater) Sadlon (Jonathan), Cathy Ann Slater, Robyn Elise Lafond, and Robert Arthur Lafond.  She is also survived by her siblings Robert Bova, Claire (Bova) Michaud, and Marilyn (Bova) Dillon; and Marion Slater (Frederic).  She is also survived by her grandchildren Rebecca Joy (Slater) Manson (Joey), Peter Matthew Slater (Maire), Jennifer Ann (Slater) Elhorst (Ben), Chelsea Lynn Slater, James Robert Shursen, Hannah Robyn Shursen, Chelsea Bova Sadlon, and Natalie Clarise Slater Sadlon; as well as several great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, friends, and fellow Middlebury residents. She is also survived by her cherished furry grandsons Harley, Gusser, and Acey.

A memorial service to celebrate Janet's life will be held at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home, located at 2 School Street, Woodbury, on Saturday, May 4, from 1-3 pm.  Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome to an animal shelter of your choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com