Margaretmary McCann Obituary (1935 - 2017)

Scarborough - Margaretmary McCann passed peacefully at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House on Sunday, February 12, 2017, with her nieces and beloved dog, Honey at her side. Margaretmary was born in Portland, the fifth child of Carl and Helen (Dougherty) McCann on July 13, 1935. Graduating from Deering High School in the Class of 1953, she went to the University of Maine in Orono where she majored in English and received a B.A. in 1957 and a M.Ed. in 1965. She was a member of Chi Omega, and while at the University, she excelled in drama, winning the prestigious Golden Apple Award for performance on three occasions. She was also secretary of her class for three years. Additionally, Margaretmary was awarded the Newman Key for outstanding Catholicism on campus. After graduation she began teaching in Portland where she remained for 37 years. Her beginning years at Longfellow School and then 10 years at Lyman Moore Junior High were followed by 20 years at Portland High School where she was advisor to the National Honor Society and co-drama coach, and where she received the honor of yearbook dedication and two outstanding teacher awards. While teaching was her love and career, other interests also occupied her in varied ways. Margaretmary was frequently seen on local stages from Portland Players to Lyric to Portland Stage Company. Her most challenging role, playing four characters with make-up changes on stage was Twigs. This performance won Best Actress in New England at the N.E.T.C. at the Spingold Theater at Brandeis University in 1976. She also won two awards locally for Best Actress at Portland Players. In 2006, she was inducted into the Portland Players Hall of Fame. Another theatrical highlight for Margaretmary was when she was cast as Alvira in The Country of the Pointed Firs opposite Julie Harris at WGBH Boston. She and Julie developed a lovely friendship, and corresponded for many years. Childhood summers were spent at the family cottage in Old Orchard Beach, and in 1969, with her sisters Elizabeth, Catherine and Dorothy, she opened a tea room/gift shop in Pine Point called The Periwinkle. For over 30 years The McCann Girls made delicious homemade desserts, but more importantly, they made countless friends from all over the U.S. and Canada. In addition to teaching, her summer business and theater work, she also became well known as a consultant in business-writing and communication. She worked for several companies among which were LL Bean, UNUM, Hannafords, Cole Haan and others. She also did some consulting on business texts for Houghton Mifflin Publishers. An avid traveler, Margaretmary loved her adventures with her sister Dorothy with whom she made her home. They traveled to 38 states, the Caribbean islands, and 12 European countries and always loved the memories of the wonderful people and places they encountered. After Dotties passing, Margaretmary continued to travel and enjoyed recent trips to Scotland, Holland, and an amazing trans-Atlantic crossing on The Queen Mary 2. After many years at their home on Hersey Street, in later years, Margaretmary and her sister Dottie moved to Applegate in Falmouth and in 2007 they moved to the Atrium at The Cedars. For too short a time, they enjoyed being Atrium neighbors with their dear brother, Carl! At The Atrium, Margaretmary made wonderful friends and entertained the residents with inspiring literary presentations on her favorite authors and often led spirited book discussions. Blessed with many friends and associates, Margaretmary was a member of the College Club, Womens Literary Union, Advisory Board of Portland Stage and Portland Players, Applegate Board of Directors, the Sandpiper Book Club, several bridge groups, the Out-to-Lunch Bunch, the Breakfast Club and the Ladies who Lunch. She was an avid reader, animal lover, Jeopardy aficionado, and loved movies, concerts, plays, and museums. Margaretmary was blessed with many dear and cherished friends. They supported her throughout her life, and were there with her during her struggles over the last year. Their love and devotion will always be remembered! Margaretmary is survived by her niece and husband Marycatherine (Foley) and Peter Rowan and their sons Andrew and Daniel of Vermont, niece Kerry (McCann) and husband, Michael Schnell of New Hampshire and their children Matthew and Amanda, niece and husband Jane (McCann) and Michael DiPietro and their daughter Mary of Cape Elizabeth, niece and husband Cathyann (McCann) and Matthew Ray of Florida and their children Callie, Madeline, and Jack, and nephew Bradley McCann of Portland. In addition she is survived by loving members of the Hemond and Staples families and countless friends, cousins and former students. She will also be greatly missed by her cherished dog Honey. In addition to her parents Carl (C.F.) and Helen, Margaretmary was also pre-deceased by her dear sisters Dorothy and Elizabeth Bibi McCann and Catherine (McCann) Foley and husband, Peter, her loving brother Carl and wife, Ann, and sister-in-law Joyce (Bradley) McCann. Visiting hours will be Thursday, February 23, from 4-8PM at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 24 at 11AM at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland. Following the Mass, a luncheon will be held where friends and family are encouraged to share stories, poems or readings to celebrate Margaretmarys rich and happy life! Interment will be held on Saturday, February 25 at 10AM at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Margaretmarys memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaretmarys name to Hospice of Southern Maine, Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, or the Portland High School Scholarship Fund.