Janna “Sparky” Lambine passed on with her wife, Lisa Bartran, at her side on Oct 21, 2021, in the very same room where they first met over 30 years ago at Janna’s family’s beloved “Viewpoint” beach house in Brewster, MA.  A breakthrough cure for glioblastoma brain cancer eluded her. 

 

Janna was born in 1951 to Alberta and Oscar Lambine in Norwood, MA, and grew up in neighboring East Walpole, MA.  Walpole High School was progressively ahead of Title IX with their girls’ sports program and Janna excelled in basketball, softball, and field hockey.  Upon graduating from Bates College, Janna was accepted into the Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate Program. 

 

With Janna’s lifelong love of the sea, she wanted to be assigned to a Coast Guard cutter, but they were not open to women at that time.  However, CG aviation opened to women just then.  Janna went to flight training, becoming the first woman in the Coast Guard to become a pilot, and more specifically, a helicopter pilot, assigned to Air Station Astoria, Oregon.  Janna was also most likely the first woman to land a helicopter on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.  In a training approach to the USS Lexington, Janna called in on the radio and the command scrambled to figure out what to do.  While the regulations specifically did not allow Navy women on the carriers, there were no rules prohibiting a Coast Guard woman so she was allowed to land.  Janna fulfilled her active-duty obligation and transferred to the Coast Guard Reserves.  Janna earned her MBA at Portland State University, which she put to use in project work during multiple extended active-duty reserve assignments.  She served as the Commanding Officer of Reserve Unit Newport, OR, worked as a reserve intelligence officer during Operation Desert Storm, served as Executive Officer of Reserve Unit Atlantic Area, was the senior reserve officer at Support Center Boston, and was the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.  Janna retired at the rank of Commander. 

 

Janna’s greatest rescue occurred the day that a six-year-old girl on a donut inflatable was blown out into the deep waters of Cape Cod Bay by strong off-shore winds.  Janna and Lisa launched their two-person kayak and paddled furiously to catch up with Allison and bring her safely back to shore.  They were awarded matching Coast Guard Achievement medals.   

 

While she accompanied Lisa on her last Coast Guard assignment in S. Portland, ME, Janna returned to her first love, fitness.  She became a certified fitness instructor through a program at the University of Southern Maine, and then worked as a rehabilitation exercise instructor in their innovative cardio-pulmonary exercise program.  Upon settling on Cape Cod, Janna worked as a fitness instructor at Mid-Cape Athletic Club for over 16 years.  Janna became a certified pilates instructor and while she taught the mat and reformer classes, her real passion was for personal training with seniors.  She found such delight in strength and movement, and was sure others would too.  Janna also taught and substituted in the VNA’s Young at Heart exercise class for seniors.  

 

Janna held a simple life philosophy: “Say what you mean and mean what you say, better yet, don’t say much to begin with.  There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Mother Nature is endlessly fascinating”.  Finally, when the cancer progression scrambled her words, she managed to say, “I don’t want to hear any ‘Oh boo hoo!’ “

 

Janna came with her family to the Brewster sandflats when she was five years old and then only missed one summer there.  The sandflats became her playground and she had already logged countless miles on the sandflats when she met Lisa.  Together they walked for countless more miles in what they deemed their worry-free zone.  For over 20 years when at home in Yarmouth Port, they’d walk their Rolling Hills neighborhood daily.  Lisa would be the one waving to people and Janna would be the one petting dogs.  

 

When Janna worked for the Red Cross in Portland, OR, she was a frequent hemapheresis donor. Janna found much joy as a child at the Brewster herring run and later in life, she became a very devoted herring counter volunteer.  She also volunteered for the Housing Assistance Corporation’s “The Big Fix.”  

 

Janna was a seat-of-the-pants sailor, and few things made her happier than sailing her Laser sailboat.  For years, Lisa was her shifting ballast and splash guard.  Later, a smaller radial sail allowed her to have cherished solo sailing.  Janna sailed and kayaked through chemo summer 2019, and stable summer 2020.  She managed to stand the watch on the front porch of Viewpoint with binoculars at the ready her last summer 2021.  Janna leaves behind a big loving circle of family and friends.  Rest easy Janna, we have the watch.  

 

If you’d like to honor Janna’s memory you may stand up, stretch, go for a walk, or lift a weight with proper form.  If you listen closely, you may just hear a voice whisper, “Now don’t you feel better?”  Donations can be made in Janna’s memory to Fisher House Boston, PO Box 230, South Walpole, MA 02071, Fisherhouseboston.org. The Fisher House of Boston serves military families - active duty and veterans - by providing lodging at a four-star hotel when a loved one is receiving treatment at world renowned Boston Hospitals.

 

Friends may call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA on Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 10:00 to 12:00 Noon.

A memorial service will follow at the First Parish Brewster, 1969 Main St., Brewster, MA. at 2:00 P.M. 

 

 

Lisa I am sorry to hear of your loss. I never met The CDR but I know I like her, she was an H3 pilot. My thoughts and prayers go with you.

Dear Lisa, Janna is now an angel looking after you. May you find comfort in your wonderful memories of the life you shared. God bless you both.

BZ,Janna! VERY proud of your contributions to others. Rest In Peace, Shipmate!!!

My heart breaks for you my friend. It seems as if her decline happened much too quickly. It’s a true miracle to find the soul mate you had in Janna, I envy the relationship you had. You know I’m here day or night with a shoulder. Please feel my arms wrapped around you filling you with my love. “ May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 ❤️

Commander Lambine's contributions to the United States Coast Guard were immeasurable. Beyond her skills and successes as a pilot and officer, Janna helped open the door for other women wanting to serve our country in the military. The example and high standards she set have encouraged many others and is commendable. She will be long remembered by her Coast Guard family.

Very sorry, Lisa. What a wonderful life story.

I am Allison’s step-father and have heard her mother tell many people about the heroic rescue made by Janna and Lisa on Cape Cod Bay. If it weren’t for the sheer luck that they were able to hear the calls for help, had the training and bravery to answer the call, Allison would have been swept out to sea and none of us would have seen the wonderful woman that she has become. Sparky left the world a better place through a life of service to others and should be an inspiration to us all.

I am Allison’s step-father and have heard her mother tell many people about the heroic rescue made by Janna and Lisa on Cape Cod Bay. If it weren’t for the sheer luck that they were able to hear the calls for help, had the training and bravery to answer the call, Allison would have been swept out to sea and none of us would have seen the wonderful woman that she has become. Sparky left the world a better place through a life of service to others and should be an inspiration to us all.

Oh, Lisa! What a wonderful, upbeat (“no boo-hoo”), thorough, and loving overview of the life of your dear wife, Janna! Thank you for letting me in to Viewpoint, your kayak, and other tender moments through this article. Much love in Christ, the Risen One, - Rick

It was an honor to know this gentle, wise, quiet woman, I will always remember our last conversation, it was about a Bald Eagle sighting, may you soar with the Eagles Janna .

Sincerest condolences to Lisa and Jannas family. She and Lisa were a wonderful couple and I loved listening to both of them pontificate about life. Janna left us too soon and she will be missed. I am honored to have known her.

I am a US Army veteran and want to say thank you for setting and reaching the bar. Prayers to your family. Slow Salute

Janna’s passing leaves a deep hole in my circle of friends. I’ve been blessed to count her as a friend forever over 20 years. I fondly recall the many clamming trips we took out on the flats. The memory of Janna dragging a clam filled kayak back to the beach will always bring a smile to my face. The time I got a wave in the face and lost my glasses was fun despite the loss. Lisa, Janna and I spent over an hour shuffling fir my glasses. No glasses but Janna kept finding the clams, and the crabs. I will miss our quiet times sitting on the back porch of the View Point, just being together and being awed by the fabulous sunsets. Rest well my friend, I will hold your memory close till we meet again.

Lisa, sorry for your loss. I will keep you in prayers. I know this is a difficult time for you, but remember you have friends that you can reach out to if you need someone to talk to.

Janna’s passing leaves a deep hole in my circle of friends. I’ve been blessed to count her as a friend forever over 20 years. I fondly recall the many clamming trips we took out on the flats. The memory of Janna dragging a clam filled kayak back to the beach will always bring a smile to my face. The time I got a wave in the face and lost my glasses was fun despite the loss. Lisa, Janna and I spent over an hour shuffling fir my glasses. No glasses but Janna kept finding the clams, and the crabs. I will miss our quiet times sitting on the back porch of the View Point, just being together and being awed by the fabulous sunsets. Rest well my friend, I will hold your memory close till we meet again.

No words except cancer sucks. I'm so very sorry. Janna was quite accomplished! What a woman! I stretched, said a prayer for you and Janna. Hugs my friend

So sorry to hear this. Janna and I were OCS classmates in 1975 then went our separate ways. My condolences.

I know I share with many of us who have served in the U.S. Coast Guard on the sadness of the passing of CDR Janna Lambine. A true trailblazer in ever sense of the word, her determination and dedication that became the success of earning her wings of gold is a valued legacy in Coast Guard history. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. Janna now serves with the angels. Go in love and peace my fellow Coast Guardsman.

A beautiful life lived to the fullest!! And the wonderful years with her equally special friend, partner & wife Lisa. Love & hugs

A beautiful life lived to the fullest!! And the wonderful years with her equally special friend, partner & wife Lisa. Love & hugs

Rest in Heaven, Sparky. I know you made it because you brought your own 'WINGS'. Thanks for Loving my shipmate. I didn't get a chance to tell you how fast Lisa was movin once the Hamilton got into the Cape Cod Canal.

Beautiful!