Judy was born in LaTuque, PQ, Canada, the youngest of three sisters born to Bernice and Warren Beckler, natives of Auburn, ME. She attended public schools in LaTuque, graduating from high school there (11th grade) in 1951. She completed 12th grade in the U.S., graduating from high school in Reading, MA, a year later while living with her oldest sister and family.
Judy graduated from the Maine Medical Center School of Nursing in 1956 and completed her five-year degree program from the University of Maine, Orono, with a B.A. in nursing in 1957. She worked as an R.N. at Eastern Maine General in Bangor and at the UMO Infirmary.
She married Dana R. Baggett in August 1957 at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Latuque, PQ, Canada. They moved to Philadelphia shortly thereafter, where Judy worked as a dedicated public health nurse. She was a nursing instructor in Zainesville, Ohio, at Central Maine General in Lewiston from 1959-1961, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and at the Bangor State Hospital until 1973.
Throughout their married life, Judy and Dana owned a home on Bailey Island and moved there year-round in 1981. Sometimes nicknamed “The General,” Judy owned and operated the Bailey Island General Store from 1982-1993, where she worked seven days per week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. She doubled the business during that time, thanks to the loyal support of local residents. She loved the island community and it showed in both her hard work and sharp-witted humor.
Judy wrapped up her career as a parttime nurse at the West Harpswell School until she retired in 2004. She loved cats and basset hounds, baking donuts, bread, and pies, and braiding rugs.
Judy lost her husband Dana to cancer this past June. She was previously predeceased by a son, Ian Andrew Baggett and grandson, Ian Jr., both of Sykesville, MD; a sister, Caroline Beckler Doolittle of Ft. Devens, MA; and a sister, Helen Beckler Mooers of Durham, ME. She is survived by a daughter, Meredith Smithson and her children, Rosemary and Marshall Cumback of Brunswick; a daughter Darcy Baggett and her children, Elliot and Dina Murphy of Brunswick; a son Graeme Baggett, his wife Cheryl, and his son, Zachary Fisette, of Topsham.
Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, 981 Forest Ave., Portland. Please visit www.advantageportland.co m to sign Judy’s guestbook.
An informal reception to celebrate Judy’s life will take place on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m., Library Hall, Bailey Island. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Brunswick Area Respite Care, P.O. Box 446 Brunswick, ME 04011 or at www.respitecare.org.
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