Jan Elizabeth Boguen

BELFAST - A light has gone out of our lives; we said good-bye this week to a very special person. Jan Elizabeth (Robbins) Boguen died early Thursday morning, July 23, 2009, at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, after a brave 20-month battle with breast cancer. Despite her cancer diagnosis and the uncertainty during many months of treatments that followed, Jan kept her same happy demeanor and was an inspiration to all who knew her. Jan was one of those people who got enjoyment out of life, one of those people who it felt good to be with. Jan was born July 31, 1956, in Belfast, the youngest child of Rodney and Ruth (Walker) Robbins. Jan grew up in Belfast and attended Belfast schools. She was a busy little girl, always surrounded by friends. Jan was a Girl Scout, a cheerleader in high school and she enjoyed tap and ballet lessons. Jan became a certified nursing assistant - CNA, and worked at Tall Pines Nursing Home for a number of years, where she was very popular with the staff and residents. Jan loved taking care of her patients and they loved her. Many times she would buy someone who had no resources gifts of clothing or other needed items. Jan and her husband, Steve, enjoyed camping trips. For a number of years, they camped at the Fryeburg Fair, Fryeburg, which was one of Jan's favorite places. She loved the seasons and what they brought; family gatherings at Thanksgiving, the joy of Christmas and family birthdays, which Jan always made special. There will be no more camping trips, holiday gatherings or special birthday celebrations for our Jan, but we will remember all those years when she was part of our lives and we will be the better because of it. Jan is survived by her husband of 30 years, Stephen M. Boguen. Jan called Steve "her rock." Steve was with Jan every step of the way during her illness. Steve was present at every treatment and every surgery. Jan is also survived by a son, Michael S. Boguen of Belfast; a daughter, Amanda E. (Boguen) Munson and son-in-law, Patrick T. Munson, of Belfast; parents, Ruth (Walker) Robbins and Rodney M. Robbins of Belfast; sister, Donna M. Costa and husband, Roger Costa, of Somers, Conn.; brother, Roger E. Robbins and wife, Linda Cammarota, of Newbury, N.H.; a special aunt, Lillian Green of Belfast; her mother-in-law and father-in law, Sandra and Linwood Boguen of Belfast; a brother-in-law, Barry Boguen of Swanville; and three sisters-in-law, Karen Bowen of Belfast, Laurie Smith of Morrill and Susan Drinkwater of Northport, who was a great source of strength to Jan and her family during her illness. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Grove Cemetery. A gathering to celebrate Jan's life will be afterward at Waldo Town Hall, Waldo. In place of flowers, donations in Jan's memory may be made to Oncology Patient Assistance Fund, Waldo County General Hospital, 118 Northport Ave., Belfast, ME 04915. Funeral arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain St., Camden.