Jayne Dowling Oakes, 83, of Boothbay, passed away too soon and too fast, on Oct. 6, at St. Andrews Safe Havens. Her transition to assisted living had been a brief one, as she had been able to stay at her own home with care from her family until recently.

Jayne was born in Wiscasset on Nov. 3, 1938 to Joseph and Gwendolyn Dowling. The fourth of five children, she grew up, happily playing with her siblings.

Jayne attended the Wiscasset public schools, and after graduating high school in 1957, she went to Newton, Massachusetts, to attend Mount Ida Junior College. After college, Jayne started working as a medical secretary at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay Harbor. While working there, she met Larry Oakes, and they married in 1962. From then, Jayne would be a lifelong Boothbay resident. She and Larry raised their two sons, Peter and Jason, and operated the family business, Ace Well Service.

Over the years, she provided care and support for her mother, Gwendolyn, and enjoyed spending time with her sister, Natalie. For years she volunteered for Meals on Wheels, looking forward to seeing people during her deliveries. She knew that the visit was as important as the food. She was a den mother, basketball, and t-ball coach, always finding ways to give back to the Boothbay community.

With a larger than life husband whom everyone knew and loved, Jayne personified comfort, dependability, honesty ... the best parts of humanity. They made a good combination, and had a good time together. They loved having grandchildren, and a home filled with family.

Jayne was beautiful inside and out and lived a simple but special life. Always a lady, conscientious and humble, she was filled with love and dedication to her family, friends and community.

Forgive us God if we should weep for the friend we had and longed to keep.

A long life well lived cannot be without loss. Jayne was predeceased by her husband Larry, sister Natalie Demeny, brother Jim Dowling, brother Ted Dowling.

She leaves behind her son Jason Oakes, granddaughter Meghan Oakes, grandson Wyatt Oakes, son Peter Oakes, grandson Hazen Oakes, sister Donna Peddle.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit www.hallfuneralhomes.com