Monique O’Malley

NEW GLOUCESTER – Monique O’Malley, 84, of New Gloucester, died following a stroke, on Dec. 15, 2024, with family at her side at Andwell Hospice House in Auburn.

She was born on May 18, 1940, in Lewiston, daughter of Wilfred and Clarisse Labbe. An only child, she lost her father at the age of 13. His passing left a void in her that never fully healed, and she missed him until the day she died.

After briefly attending Salve Regina University in Rhode Island, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education from St. Josephs College in Standish. She was active in chorus, drama and dance, and was a lifelong lover of musicals. Fresh out of college she found meaningful work at the Job Corp in Poland teaching disadvantaged youth important job skills.

Monique was a foreign language instructor at the Pennell Institute in Gray and later taught French and Spanish in the Yarmouth School System. She had a special love for books and was at other times a librarian at Gray New Gloucester High School and salesperson at the Bookland store in Windham. A resident of New Gloucester since 1965, she was a frequenter, supporter, and one-time board member of the local public library. Once retired from teaching in the public school system, she spent her summers as a tour guide at the Shaker Museum and loved nothing more than giving Brother Arnold a good-natured hard time.

Beyond her careers, she was as good an armchair politician as they come. A strident Democrat, she attended caucuses and was a champion of liberal and working-class causes. Upon learning her granddaughter was attending a women’s rights march she promptly knitted a pink pussy hat for her to sport at the rally.

Monique loved living on Sabbathday Lake and was one of the visionaries for the inception of the Lake Association. She enjoyed ice skating and swimming in her earlier years, and the simple peace, quiet, and natural beauty of the lake in her later years. A lifelong Mainer, she was not shy about her disdain for the annual influx of summer tourists.

Monique had a fierce love of family and was extraordinarily generous with her time and thoughtful gifts.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Don O’Malley; son, John O’Malley and his wife Ali of Orange, Calif., and Steve O’Malley and his wife Pamela of Richmond, Vt.; and grandchildren Evan, Lauren, and Will.

Pursuant to Monique’s request, no services are planned.