Madalyn Frances McDonough Paige

Portland- Madalyn Frances McDonough Paige, was able to spend St. Patrick’s Day with her husband in heaven as her courageous fight with lung cancer ended on March 15, 2011. In her passing, she has left a strong and lasting foundation to her many family & friends of promoting the sense of family, religion, patriotism and caring for others. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, friend, neighbor and co-worker.

She was born in Brighton, Massachusetts on September 8, 1928 to Thomas F. McDonough and Madeline Fernald McDonough. She moved to Maine as a young girl and attended local Portland schools. She graduated from Deering High School where she was active in the drama club and was affectionately known as “Micky” to all her friends. Upon graduating in 1946, she went on to university at the then Our Lady of Mercy College.

While in college she took up her friend’s offer of a blind date and met the love of her life, Harlan Paige. They were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Portland on June 15, 1948. They spent most of their married life living in Portland raising their children Judi, Tom, Chris and Jim.

Madalyn was a stay at home Mom until her youngest son entered elementary school. In 1974 she was employed in the activity department at Seaside Nursing Home on Baxter Boulevard in Portland. She was later promoted to the director of the department where she served in that capacity for many years until her retirement in the early 1990’s. She enjoyed enriching the daily lives of all of the residents at the nursing home.

She loved spending time with her many family & friends sharing her love of good home cooking, Boston Celtics and Red Sox sports, and perhaps a little bit of Bailey’s Irish Cream. She was more than rewarded for her devotion to those teams relishing in many a championships won by the Celtics, Red Sox, and the Patriots.

Madalyn’s mother passed away when she only nine years old. As a result she took many responsibilities of helping her Dad with her many siblings. She became independent and strong willed, standing up for her ideals. This carried over for the remainder of her life. She had a special knack for comforting others, usually with her cooking and baking many cakes, whoopie pies and cookies.

She touched many lives young and old. She loved spending time with her children, their family and friends and being actively involved in their lives through church, school or sporting events. She constantly promoted strong family bonds and unity and always looked upon her brothers and sisters with admiration and respect. Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were her greatest blessing as she took pride in all their accomplishments and spoiled them as often as she could. In return, she might recruit you into her Celtic’s basketball green army or the Red Sox Nation. She was often heard saying “beat those Yankees”!

Madalyn loved all things celtic and many of her fondest memories were made in her visits to Ireland where she delighted in the hospitality and spirit of her ancestors. She gladly bent to kiss the Blarney Stone and strolled the Cliffs of Moher. It goes without saying that green was her favorite color and she would make preparations all year long in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day.

She was an avid camper and enjoyed many campfires at their property at Sebago Lake and earlier at the lake’s state park. She was a member of St. Pius X Church on Ocean Avenue in Portland for more than 50 years.

Mrs. Paige was preceded in death by her father and mother; husband of 62 years Harlan L. Paige; and their infant son Timothy Paige; oldest brother Thomas McDonough formerly of Windsor, Connecticut; oldest sister Priscilla Murphy of South Portland, younger brother Francis McDonough of Portland; father-in law Lloyd Paige and wife Alice Ettinger Paige formerly of South Portland, sister-in-laws Jane & Merilyn Paige both formerly of South Portland and a special cousin Mary Henley of South Portland. She is survived by daughter Judith Cammack and her husband Harold of Hampden, son Thomas Paige and his wife Wanda Pettersen Paige of Windham, son Christopher and wife Nikki of Portland, son James and wife Shannon of Houston, Texas; sister Mary Jane Noyes & husband Mal of Westbrook; brother John McDonough & wife Pat of Lewes, Delaware; sister Ellen Vargas of Portland; sister-in-law Barbara Paige Frederick & husband George, and nephew Randall Frederick all of Scarborough; as well as eight grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and dozens of other nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Sunday March 20, 2011 from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM at Jones, Rich and Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford Street Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday March 21, 2011 at 11:00 AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 492 Ocean Ave. Immediately following the funeral Mass everyone is welcomed to join the family for a luncheon in Msgr. Houlihan fellowship hall. Interment will take place on Wednesday March 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

The family would like to thank the staff of VNA Home Health & Hospice and Mercy Oncology for their special care of Madalyn and requests those wishing to make a donation in her memory to; VNA Home Health & Hospice.50 Foden Rd. South Portland, Maine 04106.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Madalyn’s guestbook.