Janet Ellen Drouin

WATERVILLE -- Janet Ellen Drouin, 62, of Vassalboro passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008, after a brief illness.

She was born in Waterville on Aug. 17, 1945, the daughter of Abram and Jeanne Laverdiere Houle.

She graduated from Winslow High School in 1963. She received her nursing degrees from the Sisters of Charity Hospital in Waterville and the University of Maine.

She was employed at Seton Hospital as a floor nurse and in the ICU unit until she and her husband became owners of Volmer's Nursing Home, now Volmer's Country Living Center. Janet was strongly dedicated to improving the quality of life for the elderly. She served as a clinical consultant for Hi-Tech Software in her quest for excellence in health care.

She was an avid golfer and a member of Natanis Golf Course in Vassalboro. She also served as Women's Maine State Golf Association's Handicapper, 1992-99; Tournament Committee, 1993; TriState Chair, 1996-97; Scoring Chair, 1998-99; Rules Committee, 1999; Historian, 2004 to present; Advisory Committee, 2004-05; Public Relations, 2005 to present; Executive Board 2006 and 2008 to present; and Budget Committee, 2008. She also was the president of the Natanis Women's Golf Association for the 2007-08 year. She served on the handicap committee at Natanis and helped run the Monday night Mixed League. Before joining Natanis, she was an active member of Waterville Country Club.

Mrs. Drouin is survived by her husband, Roland E. Drouin, and daughter Shelly Cunningham and her husband, Shawn, along with their daughters and granddaughters Taylor, Allison and Leah, of Falmouth, whom Janet adored. She is also survived by a sister, Charlotte "Bunnie" Picher and her husband, John, of Vassalboro; a brother, John Houle and his wife, Georgia, of Poland; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents, Abram and Jeanne Houle; and a sister, Roberta "Bobbie" Houle.

She will be sadly and deeply missed by her family and her husband's family, especially sister-in-law, Theresa Dumont and her husband, Steve; and her many close friends and business associates.

Edna St. Vincent Millay in her poem "First Fig" wrote:

My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-

It gives a lovely light!

This makes perfect sense as it applies to Janet's life. Reference to burning a candle at both ends of the day... that is, needing candlelight before the sun comes up, and again after the sun goes down. She indeed had been awake earlier and later than most folks throughout her career as a nurse.

She has been there for friends, her family and her acquaintance, diligently serving despite illnesses that would have incapacitated anyone else.

She was the "nurse in charge," making people better, making things better for all. Whether it meant leaving her bed in the middle of the night to tend to the sick, or organizing a golf league, tournament or a family bash, she was there. Who knows how many people benefited by her candle's light?

In lieu of flowers, donations to benefit girls' youth golf programs may be sent to Women's Maine State Golf Association, Janet Drouin Memorial Fund, c/o Madeline Kilmister, Treasurer, 145 Old Belgrade Road, Augusta, ME 04330.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 209 Eastern Ave., Augusta, with the Rev. Donald S. Davenport officiating. Family and friends will gather immediately following the memorial service in the Prince of Peace church hall from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for a time to share. A private interment service will be at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm St., Waterville.