Ann Marie (Hollywood) McDonough

Portland – Ann Marie (Hollywood) McDonough, 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, surrounded by her family and loving friends. She was born in Portland on April 23, 1938, daughter of the late Peter “Jimmy” and Sarah “Sally” Hollywood.

Ann attended Portland schools and graduated from St. Josephs Academy in 1956. It was during her time at St. Joe’s that she met the boy who would become the love of her life at a party where she asked him to dance. He said no. They subsequently married on August 9, 1958. They lived together through fair weather and stormy seas in a wonderfully chaotic and loyal love affair for 62 years until her Joey passed away in 2018.

As a young mother, Ann achieved her dream of becoming a nurse by juggling her nursing training and raising her first two babies. She began her storied nursing career at Maine Medical Center, eventually becoming head nurse of the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Ann finished her career as head nurse of the Family Practice Center on India Street. Her closest colleagues say she extended the same immense level of compassion and acceptance to her coworkers as she did to her patients.

Ann was instrumental in initiating the innovative Family Medicine Residency Program, which taught young doctors the art of treating an entire extended family in addition to the patient, resulting in more successful outcomes for all. She was passionate about serving her Munjoy Hill community with love and acceptance and strove to make healthcare readily accessible to families in the area. She removed barriers to care by sparing them the need to travel to the big hospital.

When Ann decided to become an athlete in her late 30s, she began with Bonnie Pruden exercise videos on TV, transitioning seamlessly to becoming a serious racquetball player and medal winning runner. At age 60, she completed the Bermuda Marathon, winning first place in her age group. She proudly remembered being called to the stage as “Ann McDonough from the United States of America!” Ann participated in several Tri for a Cure triathlons, well into her 70s, raising money for cancer research.

Ann’s children and grandchildren will attest to her natural and intuitive connection with babies. She mesmerized even the crankiest of little ones with storytelling and singing. She led the children on walks in the woods and on the beaches she loved. Her 14 grandchildren are now experts in sea glass collecting. Nothing was better than a boat ride on Casco Bay or Sebago Lake with her family on board. No one loved a sunset more than Ann, who stopped everything, daily, to watch the sky turn orange and red over the lake.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Cedars Sam Cohen Household for the loving and compassionate care they gave to Ann in her final days. Additionally, our immeasurable thanks to Marcelle Landry, RN, the angel who dropped into our lives when Ann needed her, bringing laughter, dancing, and love.

Predeceased by her husband, Chief Joseph E. McDonough, and daughter, Monica Ann McDonough. She is survived by her children, Maria Kilbride, Melissa and her husband Jim Allen, and John and his wife Sara McDonough; grandchildren, Erin Kilbride and her wife Alicia Seda, Maggie Kilbride and her husband Dan O’Connell, Seamus, Keegan, and Chloe Kilbride, Amanda Nurse, Ashley and her husband Ryan Kent, Amy Allen, Meaghan and her husband Joe Phillips, Gabriella Martin, Joey, MacEllen, and Maddie McDonough, Murphy and her husband Cody Trybus; great-grandchildren, Kieran and Tiegan O’Connell, Riley and Addie Nurse, Jimmy and Tommy Kent, Harlon and Josie Phillips, Cooper Trybus; sister, Pam and her husband Wayne Webster.

Family and friends are invited to visit from 4-6pm on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the new Conroy-Tully Walker, Cremation, Funeral, and Gathering Center, 300 Allen Ave. Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 10am; a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave. Portland. Burial will be held in private with Ann’s family.

Those desiring may make a memorial contribution to the Maine Cancer Foundation, Tri for a Cure, 170 US Rte 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105, or online at https://mainecancer.org/matching-gifts