Janet S Moody

WOLFEBORO, NH Janet (Swift) Moody, passed away on March 13, 2025, at the age of 100, with her daughters by her side.

Janet was born on December 6, 1924, the third child of Ernest H. Swift and Cecile (Marden) Swift of Wolfeboro and the second baby to be delivered at the newly-built Huggins Hospital. She grew up in Wolfeboro and graduated at the top of her Brewster Academy class in 1942. She went on to the University of New Hampshire, where she majored in biology but interrupted her studies to enlist in the Navy during World War II. She served at Brooklyn Naval Hospital, then returned to UNH and graduated with the class of 1947. She married William F. Moody of Exeter, NH in 1949, and they made their home there, welcoming three children. Janet and Bill were a part of the early ski scene in North Conway, where Bill taught in the Hannes Schneider Ski School on weekends and Janet guided her young children in learning to conquer the mountain.

For many years, Jan was employed as the librarian at Lincoln Street Elementary School in Exeter, and during that time she earned a master’s degree in education at UNH. The family spent summers at their cottage on Lake Wentworth in Wolfeboro starting in 1963, where Jan and Bill welcomed family and friends for frequent gatherings and swimming, sailing, canoeing, and waterskiing. She reveled in hosting wonderful meals and parties, and loved to arrange picnics—for spring skiing, hiking trips, at the seashore, for an impromptu sail, or a day-long road trip. Her enthusiasm for making the most of life was contagious, and she had a knack for making everyone she knew feel valued and interesting. Upon retirement, she and her husband spent summers in Wolfeboro and winters for many years skiing in the North Conway area.

In retirement, Janet worked part time at the Tuftonboro Free Library where she loved finding just the right book for both children and adult patrons. She also worked for her daughter at Mood’s in Wolfeboro for several summers. She loved to swim and to garden and took daily walks well into her 90s. Her sense of humor and love of books and learning were constants, as was her enthusiasm for life in general. Friends recall her warmth, intelligence, and boundless curiosity, her gift for seeing the good in all things, and her infectious laugh. She loved visiting new places and would joyfully accept any adventure she was offered. In 2016 she participated in an Honor Flight excursion to Washington DC which was one of the highlights of her later years; recognition of her service during wartime meant a lot to her.

Janet leaves behind her three children, Carol Bush (Steve ) of Tuftonboro, Maggie Stier of Wolfeboro, and Fred “Ted” Moody (Betty Jean) of Easton, NH; grandchildren Polly (Abel) Jarrel; Jon Bush; Sophie Stier Bush (Justin); Hannah Stier; and Sam Moody (Hillary Andross); as well as six great-grandchildren: Isabelle and Elliott Jarrel, Kayden and Larenna Bush, and Miller and Asa Moody. She is also survived by niece Ann Robinson and husband Steve Snow of Tuftonboro, Kay Swift Tenney of Ketchum, Idaho, and nephews Stephen Swift of Sandwich and John Belcher of Durham, NH.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her brothers Bob Swift and Don Swift, her sister Marguerite Swift Belcher Matt, as well as other nephews.

Special thanks go to the staff of the Mountain View Community for their kindness over the past two years. A small memorial gathering will be held in the summer.