Janet R. Newlin

Janet R. Newlin, 52 SOUTH FREEPORT - Janet R. Newlin, 52, of South Freeport, died peacefully at her home, Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Throughout the years of dealing with this disease she never stopped learning, growing, and teaching others, and never gave up hope, which was an inspiration to all. She was born Oct. 3, 1956 in Des Moines, Iowa, to Owen and Doris Jean (Coxon) Newlin. As a child Jan loved the outdoors and was an avid reader. Jan completed her high school graduation requirements at Scattergood Friends School in West Branch, Iowa a year early and moved to the east coast, settling in Boston. She soon relocated to California and received her B.A. degree with a double major in Education and Psychology from Antioch West, Monterey, Calif. Missing the energy of the east coast, Jan returned to New England where she received a Master of Science and Teaching with a double major in Science Education and Elementary Education, with an emphasis on marine and environmental science, and curriculum integration from Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene, N.H. Her continuing education courses included graduate level work in Waldorf Education and the Integration of Health, Education, and Counseling. She was previously married to Steven Oransky and has three children, Eric Oransky, David Oransky, and Karin Oransky. Jan was passionate about education and the difference it could make in the lives of children. Jan's career in education included many positions as teacher, director, and interpretive naturalist at special camps and environmental education programs such as at the Harrisville School in Harrisville, N.H., Great Brewster Island Audubon Society in Boston, and Thompson Island Education Center in Boston. She received her Maine State Teaching Certification for grades K-12. Jan also served as the Director for the Freeport Student Aspirations Partnership and after leaving that post continued to be a mentor to several students who were near and dear to her heart. Her love of teaching was exemplified by the founding of the Woodland Preschool while her own children were young. Jan's earlier careers included being a nanny, a UPS driver, an auto mechanic/instructor, ferry boat and fishing vessel crew hand, and Marine Laboratory research assistant at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. Jan always encouraged and supported her own kids' adventures such as the Janet R. Newlin Lindquist Funeral Home Funeral Home & Cremation Service 846-4011 Odyssey of the Mind, Space Camp, Ocean Class room, and mission trips to the Dominican Republic. She had a wonderful eye for art and space and quickly took on tasks of building and remodeling homes. Her current home, a former 1800's fish cannery, was her greatest and most challenging venture in which she painstakingly preserved the history and charm of the building, yet made a warm and comfortable home for herself, her children and menagerie of animals. She was honored with the Carol Kaplan Award for Outstanding Community service by the town of Freeport in 2007. Jan was an active member of the South Freeport Church and enjoyed coordinating the Summer Festivals 1995-98. Jan was very active in the Harraseeket Yacht Club and served as a director in 2007. She enjoyed flying in acrobatic airplanes, travel with family and friends, her vintage automobile, a good dance party, and spending time on the ocean at her own home. Jan is survived by three children, Eric Oransky, of Freeport, David Oransky, a senior at Santa Clara University, Calif., and Kari Oransky, a senior at Freeport High School. She also is survived by her parents, Owen and D.J. Newlin, of Des Moines, Iowa; her sister Tammie Gregori (and husband Ed Gregori), of Fort Collins, Colo., her brother John Newlin (and wife Patty Carton), of Brunswick, and her sister Christine Kovach (and husband Rick Kovach), of Scottsdale, Ariz. Jan also has seven nieces and nephews; many cousins; aunts, uncles, and beloved pets. Always a teacher to the end, Jan has been an inspiration to many in this journey through life and death. Her many acts of kindness and thoughtfulness have touched many lives. A visitation will be held 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane in Yarmouth. A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 6 at the Freeport High School gym, 30 Holbrook St. A reception will follow at the gym. Memorial donations may be made to: Freeport Aspirations Partnership 17 West St. Freeport, ME 04032 or: the Ocean Classroom Foundation 29 McKown Street Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538