Elaine McGillicudy
September 25, 1935 ~ February 17, 2025
Born in:
Springvale, ME
Resided in:
Portland, ME
Elaine G. McGillicuddy, 89, passed away in her home in Portland, Maine, on Monday, February 17, 2025. Elaine was born in Springvale, Maine, on September 25, 1935, the only child of Mariange Plante Goulet and Josephat Goulet. In 1954, a few years after high school, she entered the convent. During her fifteen and a half years as an Ursuline nun, she lived in Missouri, New York, Massachusetts, and Waterville, Maine. In 1968, she met Francis A McGillicuddy, then a diocesan priest. Elaine left the convent in 1970, and after Francis left the clerical priesthood, they were married on August 13, 1972, and moved to Portland, Maine. Elaine was a teacher for most of her working life. With a BA in English from the College of New Rochelle in New York and an MA in Religious Studies from Providence College in Rhode Island, she taught English in Catholic schools as a nun for ten years. After leaving the convent, she taught English Composition for eight years (from 1971 to 1979) at Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine. As a member of Pax Christi since 1980, Elaine was a longtime peace activist. She and Francis were conscientious war tax objectors during the Vietnam War, and they participated in the New York rally against nuclear weapons in 1982. Elaine was also active in progressive Catholic organizations like CORPUS, a ministerial community affirming an inclusive priesthood rooted in a reformed and renewed church, which she and Francis joined in 1990. Once she retired from academic teaching in 1979, Elaine studied yoga in Boston, San Francisco, Ohio, and then she traveled to India for an extensive study of yoga for nine weeks. Upon her return in 1989, she and Francis co-founded Portland Yoga Studio, where Elaine taught yoga. As the studio grew, they hired other yoga teachers to join them. As a team, Elaine and Francis directed the studio for sixteen years – until 2005. Elaine, accompanied by Francis, also taught yoga once a week at the Cumberland County Jail in Portland for eleven years (1996-2007). Altogether, Elaine taught yoga for thirty years. Elaine became a certified leader of the Dances of Universal Peace in 1999. She especially loved leading the Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes chanted in Aramaic (the language Jesus spoke) after learning them from Aramaic scholar Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz. After leading these meditative body prayers for seventeen years, she retired in 2016. In 2006, Elaine and Francis joined the Portland Maine Permaculture Meetup community and, in three years, put a permaculture ecosystem on their property that Elaine maintained until she died. After Francis died in 2010, Elaine published four books – Sing to Me and I Will Hear you – The Poems, and also a CD of her reading The Poems (2012); Sing to Me and I Will Hear you – A Love Story (2014); Sing to Me and I Will Hear you – New Poems (2015); and, in 2019 - To Commune with the Ancestors – A Widow Reflects. Writing was one of the principal things Elaine was drawn to do in dealing with the sorrow of Francis’ death. Elaine has no “survivors”. However, this passage from her last book To Commune with the Ancestors – A Widow Reflects is revealing: January 15, 2011 Reflecting: Being A Childless Only Child “I was aware from the beginning of Francis’s and my life together, which was without children because we married later in life – how my/our involvement in peace work, yoga, the dances of universal peace, and permaculture would engage us with other people. And that is exactly what happened. No progeny, but more friends. So all along, I’m realizing now, I have actually prepared for the situation I’m in. It’s a blessing.” Elaine does, however, leave behind some of Francis’ nieces and nephews. She also leaves Lynn Kuzma, Lee Slater, and her goddaughter Rowan Slater, whom she and Francis called “our adopted family.” Despite the fact that Lynn, Lee, and Rowan moved to New Jersey in 2016, Elaine’s love for her goddaughter never subsided. Indeed, Rowan will always have a place to call home in Maine. In her final years, Elaine enjoyed going for walks in nature and continued to practice yoga daily until the day of her death. She called yoga her “panacea.” She was grateful to have “aged in place” and rests in peace, having fulfilled her final wish to die in the home with the rich memories that she cherished since she and Francis moved there in 1972. Services to honor and remember Elaine will be held at Sacred Heart/Saint Dominic on Friday, March 7, starting with Mass at 10AM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland. To view her memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Donations to Pax Christi/USA would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
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RIP Aunt Elaine. There is no longer ‘a thin veil’ between you and Francis
Elaine & Francis were great friends. Elaine and I taught English together at Thornton Academy for a number of years. She would often drive all the way out to Cape Elizabeth to pick me up and then drive us both to work at Thornton Academy in Saco. She was also involved in getting my daughter Jennifer interested in Yoga. And I believe they studied under the same masters in India. I never met a better person than Elaine. If there is a definition of a well led Christian life – she is it. Rest In Peace with your Francis, Elaine. Forever,
Chris Queally
We met Elaine through Pax Christi Maine. Elaine’s spirit was irresistible and so we accepted her invitation for a visit. We spent a lovely afternoon soaking up the sun in her beautiful garden and listened to her love story & life with her beloved Francis. Cherished memories with a beautiful soul friend!❤️💕❤️
Elaine was a wonderful neighbor and a true joy to live beside during the years we rented the house next door from 2010 to 2013. It was always a delight to watch her lovingly tend to her chicken flock, her care and dedication shining through in every little detail. Her passion for permaculture was contagious, and sharing in her excitement as she cultivated her land with such thoughtful intention was truly inspiring. Whether she was talking about sustainable gardening or simply enjoying the rhythms of nature, her enthusiasm was a gift to witness and be a part of.
Marie and I feel deeply blessed to have shared that brief but meaningful time in her life. Her kindness, wisdom, and deep connection to the earth left a lasting impression on us, and we will always cherish the memories of those years. Now, we take comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her dear Francis, where love knows no bounds. Rest in peace, Elaine—you will always be remembered with warmth and gratitude.
I’ve know and loved Elaine through her activism with Peace Action Maine and with Brunswick Peace Works. We will remember her leading meditative dances at our annual August Peace Fairs, We will remember her as pioneer in the Permaculture Movement who never varied from her gentle, nurturing self. She will leave her imprint for us to reflect upon and to act on. We will miss her.
Rosalie Paul, PeaceWorks
i met elaine and francis, they were always together, many decades ago, before I moved to their neighborhood ,nearly 30 years ago .They were well known entities in the social justice movement. always where the action was. her continued commitment to social justice and living her life consistent with her beliefs. RIP and with Francis once again.
In memory and deep honoring of Elaine McGillicuddy.
A great light has gone out in Portland. Elaine’s founding of the Portland Yoga Studio with her husband Francis was a great gift to those of us lucky enough to be her student. Her work with Pax Christi, her service with incarcerated people and new Mainers, Dances of Universal Peace, permaculture, her writings, all fueled the light that shone brightly in Elaine to any who knew her. We celebrate her gifts and her giving, and send deep condolences to her adopted family, Lynn, Lee & Rowan, whom she loved so much.
Kathy Mills
I only met Elaine within the last year as I recently returned to attending mass on Sunday mornings. I typically sat in the last pew and she along with two other faithful ladies would always sit together. I never took the time to introduce myself to her and when I heard of her passing I was shocked, stunned and shaken as I knew then I would never get that missed opportunity. As I learn about her during her 89 years on this earth and found that she was a well-loved and devoted teacher — she continues to teach even in death. She has taught me one very valuable lesson, that is to not let the opportunity of a new acquaintance pass by. RIP Elaine, I am sorry we did not formerly meet
I met Elaine through the Dances of Universal Peace in the early 2000’s I’d guess. She was such a delightful, warm, joyous person that what started as idle curiosity soon turned into avid attendance. Elaine herself would say this about herself so I’m not putting her down when I say that I think Elaine had about the most circuitous way of expressing herself of anyone I’ve met. She lovingly referred to them as her “filigrees” which I always found delightful. Elaine was a truly good person who was always looking for connection with her fellow travelers. She was so warm and generous and genuine. I’m a fortunate woman to have known her.
My husband mike and I first met Elaine during the Plowshare action in Maine. I remember her generous time and spirit when she and Francis taught yoga at the Cumberland county jail. She was so kind and gave of herself in so many ways. Peace to her close friends and relatives. Mary Donnelly Vermont
Oh, I am so sorry we have lost Elaine. We had lost touch after Francis’ death, and I did not know her last years. But what an adamantine force in her ‘younger’ years, when Tony Montanero – also sadly no longer with us – and we would cavort through yoga, body, expression, and the morality of it all. Not much of that left, these days, Goodbye Elaine, and hope the world you go to is yet better than this one.
She was my English teacher freshman year. She was kind and funky and I loved her class. She was just a free spirit and made class interesting .
I first met Elaine at the Portland Yoga Studio and marvelled at her flexibility. Later, I enjoyed her Aramaic singing and circle dances, and finally, her passion about permaculture and the transformation of her backyard!
It was special to be friends and to be able to provide some help to Elaine. She was such a sweet, gentle and grateful woman.
I last saw her in mid January when I went over to pack away her Christmas lights. As I left, she bid me her usual warm, “Thanks a lot!” with that appreciative smile
Elaine and Francis and My wife and I were friends when I lived in Portland. I spoke and gave workshops in her studio all through the 90’s, and she came to me for sessions when I arrived as a bodyworker in Portland in 1992.
Elaine was such a vital force. It’s hard to believe she’s gone. We will miss her graceful presence in all she undertook
My first day to sacred heart saint Dominic I sat close to Elaine when she saw me she smiled and said hello what’s your name?
Elaine was so quiet helpful wasn’t talk too loud nice lady
Elaine was a helpful honest and humble person. Helene was a helpful lady. First came in USA I didn’t know how to get to church, Helen was giving me a ride to church every Sunday. Friendly lady she was telling many stories about her husband and how they had a good time together. I will miss her. Rest in peace of God Helen
My father and Francis were second cousins. After my brother Tom died, his widow Dina, married Francis’s brother Lou. For several years, I would see first Francis and Elaine and, after 2010, Elaine at the annual outdoor Mass at the Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in rural New Brunswick, Canada. I have heard Elaine there at a mic recite the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic. Both late-in- life published writers, we enjoyed reading each other’s work. Her writing was special–as was she.
Elaine was a wonderful role model in putting her faith into action. She was vibrant and eager to learn. she kept a very broad perspective. I first met Elaine when I took yoga from her after she opened her studio in Portland. Later, I taught for her. We were in Pax Christi together as well.
Dear Elaine: I miss you. I miss your kindness, so natural for you. I miss your enthusiasm; it was contagious. I have now doubt you are with Frances and that you are practicing and teaching the art of yoga and helping everyone around you. Sending love.