AUGUSTA – Jayne Elizabeth Cummings, 70, of Augusta, passed away at her home with her husband, daughter and son by her side, on Thursday, March 11, 2021.

Jayne was born Feb. 8, 1951 in Augusta, the daughter of the late Juliette Theresa Poulin Nichols and James Stinson Nichols. She was educated in Augusta schools and the University of Maine at Augusta.

She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Bruce Michael Cummings Sr., on Feb. 17, 1968. They just had their 53rd anniversary. Bruce took his vows to the fullest – he lived by his promise to love, honor, and cherish, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health. He was Jayne’s true soulmate and protector, and he will find her again someday.

She enjoyed riding on the back of her husband’s motorcycle, and they went to the annual motorcycle week at Laconia for more than 40 years. She enjoyed drag races and had dragged raced herself at Oxford. They enjoyed taking trips to their camp in Rangeley, where her and Bruce dirt biked all over Saddleback Mountain, East Kennebago and the Rangeley Lakes region. She loved her adventures of taking their speedboat down the Kennebec River to Boothbay. She also enjoyed gardening and going to auctions, where she would find old American memorabilia to add to her collection. As long as Bruce was with her, she was happy. She loved taking trips to Cape Cod and to Boston to watch Red Sox games. Jayne was a Brownie volunteer, did work with literacy volunteers helping adults learn to read.

Before retiring, she was employed as a family advocate by Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation.

She was a devoted mother to her two children, Amy and Bruce, who have wonderful memories of her teaching them to drive a standard, and always being in their corner, even if they were in the wrong. Jayne’s husband referred to as “Jaynie” and “Sweet-heart” and her adoring grandchildren called her “Meme.” In later years, she loved watching her grandchildren grow up, hosting their birthday parties at their pool and sharing many happy memories with them. Family was everything to her, and she was fiercely protective of them.

Jayne is survived by her daughter, Amy E. Cummings and her favorite and only grandson, Tucker A. Cummings, of Augusta, and her former son-in-law Jason Cummings of Sidney; her son, Bruce Cummings Jr. and her beautiful granddaughters, Grace Juliette and Eleanor Marie of Augusta, and her daughter-in-law Jennifer Nored Cummings of Manchester. She is also survived by her sister, Louise Nichols and her partner Vern Perry of Palermo, and children Daniel, Ryan and Nicholas; her sister Cynthia Roderick and her husband Roger of Chatham, Mass., and children Justine and Leah; sister-in-law Peggy Cummings and her partner Tony Loiko of Augusta and children Brandon and wife Christine and Eric; and brother-in-law Michael Deschaine and his wife Susan of Dresden and children Benjamin and wife Amy, and Thomas and wife Kate; and several great-nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, her father-in-law Robert Cummings, mother-in-law Lorraine Cummings, formerly of Augusta; her brother, James Nichols, sister-in-law Brenda Deschaine, brother-in-law Gary Cummings; and her cocker spaniel, Ivy.

Her daughter Amy was by her side during her final days, making her as comfortable as possible, with help from her daughter-in-law Jennifer. The family would like to give a special thanks to Starr for her companionship and allowing Janye to stay home and to Lisa and Angela from Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice for their compassion and expert help in navigating the family through this difficult time.

There will be a private burial at Coombs Cemetery in Augusta in the spring followed by a gathering for family and friends.

Donations may be made in Jayne’s memory to:

St. Michael School

56 Sewall St.

Augusta, ME 04330 or:

Androscoggin Home

Healthcare and Hospice

15 Strawberry Ave.

Lewiston, ME 04240 or by visiting Androscoggin.org/donate/