Jeanne Eskilson Smaha

A Wonderful Life

Portland, ME- Jeanne Eskilson Smaha passed away peacefully with her family and her beloved priest of many years, Fr. Michael Seavey, by her side, on March 13, 2025, at the age of 98. Jeanne was born the daughter of Josephine and W. Earle Eskilson on November 22, 1926. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, Portland High School and Northeastern Business College.

She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi, Junior Guild of Catholic Women, the Woman’s Literacy Union and volunteered at the Preble Street Soup Kitchen.

Jeanne had a wonderful childhood. Summers were spent with family on Long Island in Casco Bay, forging memories that lasted a lifetime.

In recent years, she returned to the island with her family sharing all of her wonderful childhood memories, a day she cherished till the end.

In 1950, Jeanne married Donald G. Smaha and together they raised three sons and was blessed with four beloved grandchildren whom she adored. She loved every moment of being a mom and nana, from being a den mother hosting the troupe each Wednesday in their home, to Little League and piano lessons for all 3 boys. And winter weekends meant skiing at Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton and great get-togethers with dear family friends. For Jeanne, as the matriarch for the family, it was simply busy, wonderful fun.

After the boys were grown, Jeanne stayed in the family home she loved and took in borders from the nearby University of Maine Law School. She hosted over twenty students over the next twenty years, many of whom stayed in close contact with her from all over the world. During that time, Jeanne took a position as Director of Donations at Goodwill Industries of Maine. She would call on businesses throughout the state acquiring items to sell in the Goodwill Thrift Shops. As was the case everywhere Jeanne went, she made lifelong friends and loved helping others.

The family wishes to extend its heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents of The Park Danforth, as well as the angels of Northern Light Hospice who all cared for and loved her like family.

She was pre-deceased by her beloved brother, Richard Eskilson.

Jeanne is survived by her younger brother, Peter Eskilson of Windham, Maine; her son, Stephen and his wife, Jessica of Austin, TX; her son Peter of Park City, UT; and her son David of Old Orchard Beach, ME; as well as her cherished grandchildren: Rebecca Smaha of Denver, CO; Tyler Smaha of Park City, UT; Sarah Jeanne Byrne and her husband, Erik, of Portsmouth, NH, and AJ Smaha of Nashville, TN.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on March 28, 2025, at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St. Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. A celebration of her life will follow at DiMillo’s.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Jeanne’s online guest book.

In lieu of flowers or donations, nothing would make Jeanne happier than knowing you’ll perform an act of kindness in her memory.