Lois Janet (Clark) Rodgers

After a brief illness, Lois Janet Clark Rodgers passed away on November 17, 2022 at Maine Medical Center in the company of her loving family. Lois was only 5 days shy of her 101st birthday. Daughter of George Teague Clark and Florence Irene (Harris) Clark, Lois came into this world in Springvale, Maine on November 22, 1921. Along with her older sister, Faith, Lois' first years were spent like other children of their time playing, participating in doll carriage parades, going to Sunday School and grammar school. In 1932, complete with crown and scepter, Lois was chosen May Queen at their church. Summers were particularly memorable due to visits with their widowed grandfather at Fortune's Rocks in Biddeford. There were special memories of the time spent at Grampa Harris' helping to put caps on his homemade root beer. As a small child Lois contracted polio which was the dread disease of the time. As a result, one leg was shorter than the other and her mother Irene followed a strict regimen of massaging that leg on a daily basis. Because of her mother's dedication Lois had only a slight limp which was not discernible until walking in general became difficult for her in the past year or so. High school years were spent at Biddeford High School where Lois appeared in the Junior play, sang in the Glee Club, participated in the Senior Play Committee, chaired the Food Sale Committee, and was a member of the Washington Club. She was a busy young lady as she also used her spare time skating, hiking and swimming. The traditional Washington trip for seniors was a highlight for Lois. After graduating in 1939 and pursuing her ambition to be a private secretary, Lois attended Northeastern Business College and set about making a career for herself. She worked for Portland Lithograph and for The Harris Company making herself invaluable to their operations. Weekends were spent going with friends to Cow Island in Portland Harbor where there were dances held for the military stationed there. There she met her life companion, friend, and husband, Earl Rodgers. The two were married on February 7, 1942. Son, Sydney Earl arrived on June 3, 1944 and soon after Earl left to fight the war in Europe. When Earl returned the couple completed their family with the arrivals of daughters Janet Elaine in 1946 and Susan Ellen in 1949. As did most mothers of young children of the time, Lois busied herself caring for the children and their home. She was also active in the Roosevelt School PTA. Lois was an excellent cook and was known in the family and the neighborhood for her meatloaf and special chocolate cake. When the three children were older Lois decided to go back to work and took a position in the Credit Department at Sears from which she later retired. After retirement Lois and Earl traveled to many places across the country visiting children who were now grown and had children of their own. After Earl passed in 2006, Lois continued to enjoy travelling on weekend excursions with daughter Susan and son-in-law Lou King and Sunday rides with grandson John Finch. Lois was predeceased by her sister, Faith and daughter, Susan King. She is survived by her children, Sydney Rodgers (Sharon) of San Acacia, New Mexico; daughter, Janet White (Peter) with whom Lois made her home as Peter and Janet both became her caregivers; and special son-in-law, Lou King. Lois (Mamie) also leaves grand children, Laura Rodgers Rogers (David), Cindy Rodgers Bazala (Ed), Jeffrey Mumma (Sara), Brenda Billings (Phill Garrity), John Finch and Andrew Finch. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Joshua Streed, Lilly and Emma Rodgers, Mason, Marcus, Jacob and Hayley Bazala, Dylan, Dakota, Quinn, Logan and Brooklyn Mumma, Emilie (Devin Cressey) and Jaymian Billings; great-great grandchildren, Landon and Weston Billings, Ezra and Peyton Mumma and was anticipating the arrival of Hazel. Also surviving are a special niece and her husband of Brunswick, Lew and Carole Graves. A private graveside service for family at Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta will be held in the spring of 2023. To honor Lois and her love for animals in lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in her name to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098.

Lois Janet (Clark) Rodgers

November 22, 1921 - November 17, 2022

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