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Jan McClintock: A Passionate Supporter of the Environment

Jan McClintock

Jan McClintock followed her passions in life. She loved the town of Harpswell, where she moved in 1986. She volunteered at the Harpswell Islands School because she cared deeply about her children’s education. As an assistant attorney general, she worked tirelessly for 27 years to protect the water, land and wildlife of her beloved state of Maine. In 2013, she married the love of her life, Merkle Muller.

Jan was also passionate in her support of the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust. “We have been long-time supporters of the HHLT because we value the outdoors and believe in protecting and conserving land, while also allowing for public access,” says Merkle.

Jan and Merkle regularly enjoyed hiking in Harpswell at the HHLT’s Long Reach Preserve, at the Bowdoin College Coastal Studies Center and along the Town’s Cliff Trail. “A special place for us and our children is the Giant’s Stairs Trail and McIntosh Lot Preserve on Bailey Island,” adds Merkle. “We fondly recalled bringing our children to Cedar Beach when they were young.”
Given Jan’s passion for the outdoors, and particularly for Harpswell, Merkle says it made sense to suggest a memorial contribution to the HHLT when Jan passed away in September 2015.

“When Jan and I were joyfully married in 2013, we requested, in lieu of gifts, that contributions be made to the HHLT, along with the Campaign for Justice and/or Equality Maine,” says Merkle. “We wanted to share our love and good fortune. Suggesting contributions in Jan’s memory to these same organizations is a way to honor and uphold her values.”

If you share Jan’s passion for Harpswell and the outdoors, whether you are a long-time resident or summer visitor, please consider making a memorial donation or establishing a memorial fund for a departed loved one. Every donation, no matter how small, helps the HHLT in its ongoing effort to keep Harpswell the beautiful place it is today, and for generations to come.

“Jan felt a deep connection to the outdoors, it was where she found her refuge,” Merkle says. “She instilled that love of nature in our four children.”
If you share that kind of connection – to Harpswell and the outdoors – remember that a contribution to the HHLT can help keep alive the kind of passion that Jan McClintock followed in her life – forever.