Elden and Marilyn Beane together in their room at Crawford Commons in Union. Marilyn has been writing a column in The Lincoln County News for more than 30 years. (Michelle Switzer photo)
Long time Lincoln County News columnist Marilyn Beane is still writing weekly after 33 years, and doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon.
Since 1982, Beane has been writing a weekly column for The Lincoln County News in her own specific style and vernacular. “Different columnists do it differently, but I like to write it like it’s my journal,” Beane said.
Beane was asked by her mother-in-law, the late Bessie Beane, to write the West Warren column after Bessie became sick and could no longer write.
Beane never thought she’d be end up being a writer for an audience.
“I didn’t think I could do it,” Beane said. “With Elden beside me, I tried, and I guess I’ve done alright.”
Beane uses her column, now titled “Marilyn Beane’s World,” as a way to reach out to people.
According to Beane, she designates at least two days of her week to write the column. Everything during the past week is up for grabs.
Beane records important dates and uses scrapbooks to keep her memories. Both have been helpful to her while writing her column.
The column usually contains medical appointments, visits from friends and workers at Crawford Commons, and time with her sweetheart Elden.
Each week, her column ends with a Biblical lesson. Beane is open about her religious beliefs, and wants to share her love of God with others.
Visitors and workers are often nicknamed and complimented in Beane’s column, using the term “sweet” before their names.
According to The Lincoln County News archives, there have only been a handful of times Beane was unable to write due to illness or surgeries.
She tries to not let anything get in the way of producing a weekly column. Even when she’s ill or tired, she finds enough strength and determination to write.
“I’ve been told that people enjoy my writing,” she said. “People have written to me and told me not to stop what I’m doing.”
Born in 1940, Beane married her longtime sweetheart Elden, Nov. 10, 1967. “He’s my second husband,” Beane said. “He waited for me. He knew I was the one.”
As every marriage does, the Beanes’ has had its ups and downs, but “we believe it was a marriage made in heaven,” Beane said.
The couple couldn’t have children due to medical reasons, so they occupied their days in other ways.
The Beanes visited friends, wrote letters to sick patients in area hospitals, read the newspaper, and brought cancer patients to medical appointments, according to Beane.
The Beanes brought cancer patients to their appointments in Portland and Augusta for over 10 years.
“We were always sure to stop at Dunkin’ Donuts at least once on the way,” Beane said.
Beane developed an illness at 14, and used her experiences with the illness to connect to others with illnesses. “I felt God called us to help and reach out to those sick people,” she said.
In his younger years, Elden worked on poultry farms, helping to collect eggs. Marilyn recalls babysitting throughout her teenage years.
Beane loved babysitting, but remembered some scary stories from her time with the children.
“One girl stabbed brother in the hand, I was just sitting there applying pressure and so scared!” Beane said. “Another family had two boys who hid, and when I found them, they were playing with matches!”
Their days now consist of reading together, attending doctor’s appointments, listening to music, and watching movies.
Beane looks forward to receiving her mail each day. She receives letters from fans and readers, Christian mail, and The Lincoln County News weekly. She often reads the mail out loud to Elden.
“I love the newspaper,” she said. “Seeing my name in print is a good feeling.”
According to Beane, Elden became very sick two years ago, around the time her own health started to decline. The couple could no longer care for themselves, and her doctor recommended them both moving to an assisted living facility.
After stops in Bremen and Waldoboro, on April 24, 2014, the Beanes moved to Crawford Commons assisted living facility in Union.
“Only 32 residents live here, and we’re the only couple in the facility,” Beane said.
From her many years of marriage, Beane felt one piece of advice was worth telling couples starting out.
“Make sure you’re with the right person, you have to really get to know each other.”
Beane also has advice for those who may be interested in writing.
“Be sure you really want to do this,” she said. “It takes thinking and patience. Take your time, be confident in yourself, and you will persevere.”
