Kelly Anne Cragin

Kelly Anne Cragin

Kelly Cragin Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from May 10 to May 11, 2008.
Kelly Anne Cragin, 46
     SOUTH PORTLAND -- Kelly Anne Cragin, 46, passed away May 8, 2008, at Maine Medical Center, after a seven year courageous struggle with ovarian cancer.
     Kelly was born at Chelsea, Mass. Naval Hospital August 1, 1961, first daughter of John H. and Virginia (Lapierre) Cragin. She attended schools in Juneau, Alaska; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Williamsburg, Va.; Melrose, Mass.; finally graduating from South Portland High School. Kelly became a Registered Nurse and practiced at Mercy Hospital. She continued her education, receiving her BSN from Westbrook College, MSN from USM and worked as a Utilization Review Nurse at Maine Medical Center for several years. Kelly always worked at least two jobs while getting her education, and has been employed by the city of South Portland for the past 22 years, sharing time between the Recreation Center and the City Manager's Office.
     Kelly was a very strong woman with a valued work ethic, and managed a full daily work schedule for nearly the entire seven years of chemotherapy, with only one short remission. She valued her privacy which facilitated her effort to live a life not immersed in her cancer battle. she loved life and lived every day to its fullest.
     She had many interests and loves in her life. She loved her flowers and plants, her many friends, older people, her beloved Siamese cats, gardening, photography, world travel, skiing, hiking, flower shows, valued her family, little sister Jill, and especially her caring and wonderful fiance , Don MacMillan. She was a world traveler to England, France Czech Republic, Ireland, Bali, Canada, Spain and Mexico. She loved travel; she thought of her trips as her escapes. She was a great photographer, documenting family events and life.
     Kelly is survived by her parents, John and Ginny Cragin; sisters Jill Cragin and Pamela Cragin Duncan and her husband Scott, all of South Portland, sister Jane Johnson and her husband Eric along with their son Henry of Bradenton, Fla.; loving fiance Don MacMillan of Saco and Sugarloaf; cuz Doug Roncarati of Gray; aunt Marian Brown and husband Bill, aunt Marion McManus and husband Warren, uncle Don Lapierre and wife Rita, special uncle Gene Lapierre, uncle Frank Lapierre and wife Hazel; and great-aunt Margaret Connolly Lee Giles of Scarborough. She also leaves many cousins and good friends.
     the family wishes to thank Dr. Tarraza, whom she loved and respected, and his staff; all the wonderful caring nurses at the Cancer Treatment Center and at Maine Medical Center Gibson and R4; her special longtime caring friend Dr. Jim Mellow; and all her many friends for their support.
     Visiting hours will be held 9:30-11:30 Monday, May 12, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. A funeral Mass will follow at 12 p.m., Monday, May 12, at Holy Cross Church, Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial to follow at the New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.
    Donations may be made in
    Kelly's memory to:
     The Animal Refuge League
    P.O. Box 336
     Westbrook, Maine 04092
    (for the caring of cats)
    Kelly Anne Cragin

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Kelly Cragin's Guest Book

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June 4, 2008

Craig MacDonald posted to the memorial.

May 30, 2008

Ruth Earley posted to the memorial.

May 29, 2008

Someone posted to the memorial.

Craig MacDonald

June 4, 2008

I got to know Kelly through her visits to IVT in Scarborough. She was a take-charge person with a wonderful optimistic attitude. She loved life and all it had to offer. She was an informed person about her condition and was a determined fighter who needed to take control over her situation. Her “Blessed” rocks and treasures helped the treatments. She received such loving care and support from her family and friends (especially Don). She was proud of the good times, trips and fun things she had done. Her excitement was infectious to everyone around her. I feel very fortunate having met her and her family!

I will miss your smile....Love, Ruth.

Ruth Earley

May 30, 2008

I think of Kelly every day. I truly miss her so much and can only imagine what pain her family is going through right now. Her love of life was infectious to me and some of the best times were on adventures with Kelly. Whether it was skiing at the Loaf or just hanging out, they are memories I wil cherish always. Even though we didn't know each other very long, I feel truly blessed to have known her as long as I did.

My deepest sympathies to her family and to Don, from Half-Aunt Ruth

We should all live and love like Kelly did. She was always up for a fun time. I miss her terribly.

May 29, 2008

Suzanne Summers

May 21, 2008

I'll always remember Kelly's enthusiasm for life, her love of flowers and cats, her laughter and ability to make others laugh, and her belly-dancing chutzpah. She was a good friend to everyone she met, and an inspiration to me.

Doreen Duval-Flaherty

May 15, 2008

Pam, I know it has been many years since high school, but since I heard of your sister's passing, you have been in my thoughts. Please accept my deepest condolences to you and your family for the loss of your sister.

We have wonderful memories of Kelly. Our deepest condolences. The Maxwells.

May 13, 2008

Janet Ledoux

May 12, 2008

When I think of Kelly, I can hear her voice so clearly in my mind..."Hey, Jan...this is Kelly!" Whether it was in person or as a voicemail, I always received those words with anticipation...because, invariably, they were followed by some invitation to go on some adventure with her...hiking, to a flower show, a mansion tour in Newport, RI, a trip to Bali...or simply a walk to talk and catch up and take pictures. She was a woman of action, of strong convictions, and great personal strength. She was kind and caring, fun, lively, and very sweet. She has been a huge inspiration in my life, especially these last 7 years, and I thank her so much for that tremendous gift. I so enjoyed her friendship, and I know I will think of her often. I am so happy for her that she is at peace now. My heartfelt wishes for that same peace to come to her loving family, and Don, her loving fiance. She was as fortunate to have you, as we all were to have her.

Lori LeMont

May 12, 2008

To Kelly's family and to Don,
I have only known Kelly a couple of years, but found her to be a true blessed woman. A very special and kindhearted person, I am truly glad to have met her.

John Uhas

May 11, 2008

Kelly lived more in a short time than many ever will. Although I am sad in my heart, Kelly is off to a better place and I know as old friends we'll meet again on the other side with other special people and share a warm campfire and laughs again.

Melissa Martin

May 11, 2008

I was fortunate to meet Kelly about 10 years ago at the pool when she heard me say that I was looking for a tennis partner. We started playing tennis early in the morning before I went to work. We regularly played tennis, or went for a walk. I would visit her at the community center and she would take her dinner break and we would talk. I helped her in her garden last summer which was very special for me. She was so strong and survived longer than most ovarian cancer patients. I am truly sorry to her family for the huge loss. The last e-mail that I received was April 12th and she never revealed that she was weakening. I'm sure she didn't want anyone to be sad. I miss her and I feel the loss of her deeply even though I wasn't a real close friend. She had a strong impact on my life. To her family, if there is anything I can do, let me know.

Varney Hintlian

May 10, 2008

Kelly was a wonderful young women whom my family and I will certainly miss. As a frequest swimmer at the SPRC, I always looked forward to seeing Kelly -- she brightened my day because of her glowing smile and playful sense of humor. I am very sad that she has passed away and offer my sincerest condolences to her family.

Wendy Diffin

May 10, 2008

Kelly, the SPCC will never be the same without you. Thank you for always being you and for never giving up the fight.

Laurie Schwartz

May 10, 2008

My heartfelt condolences to Kelly's family and close friends. We graduated together from Mercy Hosp School of Nursing and saw each other through the Rec Dept. She was always friendly and an inspiration regarding her fight with her illness. God bless you all and keep those good memories alive.

Harry/Joyce Imoto

May 10, 2008

Please accept our condolences.
We love you.

Julie Keating

May 10, 2008

Please except my condolences on the loss of your daughter. I had the great pleasure of working with Kelly in the fiance department. She always brought a happy smile to those she came incontact with. People often thought we were sisters because of the long strawberry blonde hair we both had. I would have been proud to be one of Kelly's sisters. She will be truely missed by all at City Hall South Portland and afar.

kathy jones

May 10, 2008

We will always remember Kelly as such a caring friend and neighbor. Arthur and I will never forget her.

Lynne Latham-Estey

May 10, 2008

Kelly lived her life as many of us should. She was full of life and adventure. I grew up with the Cragin girls and learned so much about free spirit and love for family. Kelly was never without a smile on her face.
To Pam and the entire family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am deeply saddened by Kelly's passing. May the spirit that she shared be with you during these difficult days. I love you all.

suzan roberts norton

May 10, 2008

I would like to express my sincerest sympathy to Kelly's family. I graduated 2 years ahead of her and I remember her warm smile. She was very kind and a good student.Though I have not seen her since school, I am very happy that she went on to be so successful in her life and enjoyed so much travel. I remember her as a good kid. My best to all her family.

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June 4, 2008

Craig MacDonald posted to the memorial.

May 30, 2008

Ruth Earley posted to the memorial.

May 29, 2008

Someone posted to the memorial.