Kelly Anne Cragin

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