LEWISTON — Heather Paige (Menke) Boehk, age 51, passed away on Sunday, September 3rd at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, ME surrounded by her loving family and friends. She had a very brief but fierce struggle with cancer.

Heather was born November 6, 1965 to parents Bill and Sheila Menke in Quincy, IL. She graduated from Quincy Senior High School in 1983 and the University of Illinois – Champaign/Urbana in December 1989 with a degree in Children and Family Services. While in college she volunteered for the Rape Crisis Hotline. She moved to Ft. Myers, FL and worked as an abuse treatment counselor. She met the love of her life, Tom, in Florida. They were married on March 21, 1992 at her parent’s church in New Gloucester, ME. Their first child, Garion, was born in Ft. Myers in 1992. They moved to Auburn, ME in December of 1992. Their second child, Paige, was born in 1996.

After moving to Maine, Heather worked for 24 years at Earrings and Company, a store located in Freeport, ME that was started by her mother in September 1993. Sheila sold the business in 2007 and Heather continued working there as manager until her passing.

Heather and Tom have shared their home in Auburn with many friends in need. They shared whatever they could and made a difference in so many lives. Heather’s joy was contagious; her huge heart and selfless love for everyone around her will live on in our memories and as an example in our deeds.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Joseph Boehk Jr., son, Garion Joseph Boehk and daughter, Paige Boehk all of Auburn, ME; her parents, Bill and Sheila (Foss) Menke of New Gloucester, ME; her sister, Laura Menke Patin and family of Hayden, ID; and her brother, Bill Menke and family of Auburn, ME; her uncle and aunt, Bill and Sue Stewich of Laconia, NH; cousins Karen Stewich-Alves and family of Andover, MA, William C Stewich and family of Shrewsbury, MA, Steve and Beverly Menke and family of Maryland and Colorado; her aunt and uncle, Shirley and Jim Watson and family of Hubbardston MA; her mother-in-law, Therese Mitchell of Henderson, NV; her sister-in-law, Kim Sauter and family from Blissfield, MI; her brothers-in-law, Gary and Terry Abbe and their families of Toledo, OH and Mark Abbe and family of California; and her nieces, nephews and friends that have been so supportive during this very difficult time.

She was predeceased by her aunt, Sandra (Foss) Stewich; her grandparents, Hilma Townes, Robert Foss, G. W. Menke II and Lucetta Menke; her father-in-law, Thomas J. Boehk Sr.; and her dear friend, John Peter.

Heather Boehk