Obituary of Shirley Ruth Bastien

SKOWHEGAN -- Shirley Ruth (Kydd) Bastien lost her battle with colon cancer on Feb. 15, 2012. She was born in Lowell, Mass., on June 14, 1927, to Douglas and Lena (Crockett) Kydd. She graduated from Lowell High School, Colby College and Maine General Hospital (now Maine Medical Center) School of Nursing. Later, she returned to school completing a master's degree in adult education at the University of Southern Maine.She married Wilbur Bastien on June 28, 1952, and after the birth of their two children, Melissa and Peter, they moved to Skowhegan in 1956. She had a long and rewarding nursing career, working at several area hospitals in a variety of clinical nursing and nursing/health education positions, as well as serving as a state and New England representative to the New England and American Hospital Association. After retirement, she continued providing care and comfort, serving as a volunteer nurse at area assisted living and boarding homes for elders.Shirley was also very involved with and deeply committed to many projects and programs within her extended community. She served on the Board of Directors at Good Will-Hinkley for many years and enjoyed the fostering of gardening and growing projects with the students. She was a master gardener and a part of the small group of motivated gardeners that revitalized the Bloomfield Garden Club. She helped establish the Hospice Volunteers of Skowhegan and designed and planted the memorial garden in Coburn Park. She was active in her church, All Saints Episcopal Church, and with her ecumenical group of faith sharing friends who work daily to bring cooperative understanding and effort to their churches and the people they serve. She was predeceased by her husband, Wilbur. She is survived by her brother, Douglas Kydd; her daughter, Melissa Bastien, and partner Jean Bourg; her son, Peter Bastien, and fiancŽe Jana Burgoyne; grandchildren Julia Johnstone and Charlotte Johnstone; many cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Moody Chapel in Hinkley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Will-Hinckley; All Saints Episcopal Church; or an area charity or nonprofit of your choice. The family would like to express their gratitude to the caring staff at Redington-Fairview General Hospital for the early phases of her care. Shirley's personal caregiver, Ann, Danylle and the Health Reach Hospice professionals, her friends, her church family and the amazing faith sharing circle have surrounded her in love and care, making the end of her journey peaceful and calm.SKOWHEGAN -- Shirley Ruth (Kydd) Bastien lost her battle with colon cancer on Feb. 15, 2012. She was born in Lowell, Mass., on June 14, 1927, to Douglas and Lena (Crockett) Kydd. She graduated from Lowell High School, Colby College and Maine General Hospital (now Maine Medical Center) School of Nursing. Later, she returned to school completing a master's degree in adult education at the University of Southern Maine.She married Wilbur Bastien on June 28, 1952, and after the birth of their two children, Melissa and Peter, they moved to Skowhegan in 1956. She had a long and rewarding nursing career, working at several area hospitals in a variety of clinical nursing and nursing/health education positions, as well as serving as a state and New England representative to the New England and American Hospital Association. After retirement, she continued providing care and comfort, serving as a volunteer nurse at area assisted living and boarding homes for elders.Shirley was also very involved with and deeply committed to many projects and programs within her extended community. She served on the Board of Directors at Good Will-Hinkley for many years and enjoyed the fostering of gardening and growing projects with the students. She was a master gardener and a part of the small group of motivated gardeners that revitalized the Bloomfield Garden Club. She helped establish the Hospice Volunteers of Skowhegan and designed and planted the memorial garden in Coburn Park. She was active in her church, All Saints Episcopal Church, and with her ecumenical group of faith sharing friends who work daily to bring cooperative understanding and effort to their churches and the people they serve. She was predeceased by her husband, Wilbur. She is survived by her brother, Douglas Kydd; her daughter, Melissa Bastien, and partner Jean Bourg; her son, Peter Bastien, and fiancŽe Jana Burgoyne; grandchildren Julia Johnstone and Charlotte Johnstone; many cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Moody Chapel in Hinkley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Will-Hinckley; All Saints Episcopal Church; or an area charity or nonprofit of your choice. The family would like to express their gratitude to the caring staff at Redington-Fairview General Hospital for the early phases of her care. Shirley's personal caregiver, Ann, Danylle and the Health Reach Hospice professionals, her friends, her church family and the amazing faith sharing circle have surrounded her in love and care, making the end of her journey peaceful and calm.