Jane Heaton Najim, 63, of Newcastle, passed away on Sept. 5 at her home surrounded by her family and her beloved Sammy and Amelia.
She was born Aug. 24, 1952 in Toronto, Canada to William and Marjorie Heaton. She lived in Canada until the age of 11 when the family traveled to Anaheim, Cal. in 1963 to begin a new life. She graduated from Tustin High School and later received her associate degree from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Cal.
Jane was employed at Ford Aerospace and Communications in Newport Beach as a finance analyst where she met her future husband, Ralph Najim. Jane and Ralph were married on Aug. 16, 1981.
After their marriage, Jane chose to leave her job so that she could stay at home and raise her children. Jane was very active in her children’s school activities. She served on the school PTO committee and helped with many fundraising events. They added a son, Elias J. Najim to the family in 1986. Jane and Ralph moved the family to Newcastle in 1990.
She owned and operated Bagel Express in Edgecomb for over six years while also being involved with the family business, Coastal Carwash, which her husband opened in 1993. She later worked as secretary of the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle. She was co-chair of the Ecumenical Food Pantry. She was a member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Newcastle. She was very active in the church serving as a Chalice bearer, Senior Warden, Search Committee for new rectors and as a reader. She was also very active with the Benedictine group and St. Andrews Summer Fair.
In her spare time she made many prayer shawls for the church to use in its ministry. She was a member of the Mid-Winter Ladies Group.
She loved working in her gardens, and collecting all kinds of things including figurines, sea glass, shells, and various antiques. She loved finding rusty items to place in her garden, and enjoyed crafting.
She is predeceased by father, William Heaton; and brother, Thomas Heaton.
She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Ralph Najim of Newcastle; daughters, Jennifer Trask and husband Robert of Plymouth, N.H., Jill Charbonneau and husband Josh of Ellington, Conn.; son, Elias Najim of Portland; dear mother, Marjorie Heaton of Tustin, Cal.; sister, Anne Hoehne of Corona, Cal.; and brothers, James Heaton of Irvine, Cal., and John Heaton of Santa Ana, Cal.; grandchildren, Amy, Ashley and Hunter Trask, all of Plymouth, N.H., and Aubrey and Emily Charbonneau, both of Ellington, Conn.; brothers-in-law, Harvey Najim of San Antonio, Tex., and Harry Najim of Wichita, Kan.; beloved niece Sarah Heaton; and many other nieces and nephews across the country and family throughout Canada and England.
A memorial service to celebrate Jane’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Sat., Sept. 19 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 11 Glidden St. in Newcastle. Rev. John Ineson will officiate. A reception will follow the service at the church.
Should friends desire, contributions in Jane’s memory may be made to Ecumenical Food Pantry of Newcastle, P.O. Box 46, Newcastle, ME 04553; or American Cancer Society, One Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.
To extend online condolences, light a candle for Jane, or to share a story or picture, visit their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Hall’s of Waldoboro has care of the arrangements.
