Monica Ann McDonough
November 26, 1962 ~ September 7, 2018
PORTLAND - Monica Ann McDonough, 55, a lifetime resident of Portland, passed away peacefully early Friday morning, September 7, 2018, surrounded by her family.
Monica attended local schools, graduating from Deering High School in 1981. She continued her studies at Stetson University in Deland, Florida, where she graduated with a B.A. in Psychology.
An avid runner, Monica participated in many local races, logging many training miles with her family and friends. She was also a talented swimmer, having competed on the high school team and local YMCA swim club from age five.
Monica was widely known and loved for her beautiful smile, sparkling eyes, and larger-than-life personality. She had a great love for all things related to the beach, and often said that she could "just breathe better by the ocean." She always managed to live with a view of the water. Given the choice, she would always find a way to be outside, face upturned toward the sun.
Monica's life was often a tumultuous one and she faced many challenges along the way; however, the hard times were always countered by her wild sense of humor and wicked wit. She would have her family and friends in tears of laughter with her hysterical observations of everyday life. She also had a great flair for cooking, taking pride in both the presentation and quality of the dishes she served professionally, as well as to her closest friends.
Monica is survived by her parents, Joseph and Ann McDonough; her daughter, Meaghan Morris Phillips, and son-in-law, Joe Phillips; daughter Gabriella Martin; sister Melissa Allen and brother-in-law Jim Allen; sister Maria Kilbride; and brother John McDonough and sister-in-law Ruth McDonough. She is also survived by twelve loving nieces and nephews, and one new great-nephew, all of whom gave her much joy.
A Holy Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at 10AM in the chapel of The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St., Portland. A private burial will follow.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of Portland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 Us Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear McDonough Family, I was so sorry to read about Monica’s death. Please accept my most sincere condolence at this sad time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mary Campbell
– Mary Campbell
Monica was always so happy. She always made me laugh. She was a fun classmate to have. She will be missed.
– Maureen Burchill Cooper
Wishing peace and comfort to the your family during this time of sorrow. We will always have very fond memories of Monica. The Chandler Family
– Ann M. Chandler , Mark Chandler and George Chandler
We got the great idea to go sliding in Falmouth while tipping a couple back. The hills in Falmouth all point toward the ocean and are quite steep and long. None of us in the group gave any thoughts on how to stop before the bottom of the hill. 🙂
Monica accepted folks the way they were. No alterations necessary. She was very forgiving.
Her daughter was her number one consideration.
She was my friend and made my world a better place. Always a smile.
Monica and I were on Pinetree swim team together. I wasn’t a very good swimmer and was often ostracized by the better swimmers and their parent as well. That wasn’t Monica’s shortcoming. It wasn’t her nature to marginalize anyone. One of the most genuine and loving people I’ve had the pleasure to know in my 63 years of life. Those of us who were lucky enough to have known her are better off because of it.