Mary Margaret McNeill Gallant

WATERVILLE – Mary Margaret McNeill Gallant passed away peacefully at Glenridge Long Term Care home in Augusta, Maine, on July 24, 2023.

Mary was born in Portland, Maine, on May 24, 1928, in the shadow of St. Dominic’s Cathedral, and spent her happy youth in the area with her mother, Delia Connelly McNeill, twin brothers, Herbert and Arthur, and her sister Kathleen (Moran). She graduated from Cathedral High School in Portland in 1945, where she won fame by singing and dancing in every talent show. She was also known for her flowing golden curls, friendly smile, and quick wit.

After high school, Mary worked as a library assistant at the Portland Public Library, shelving books and helping the many readers and customers. Mary was married to John Ovide Gallant on June 21, 1952, and moved first to Westbrook, then to Lewiston, eventually moving to Waterville where the family purchased the Emond Funeral Home on Elm Street.

Mary raised six children in that residence, John, Jeanne (Joseph), Mary (Green), Arthur, Carol (Hahnl), and Gregory. She has nine grandchildren, Oliver, Jonathan, Alfred, Philip, Annie, Emma, Emily, Jhami and Angela, and several great-grandchildren. Mary was a cheerful woman and was a wonderful and much-loved mother and grandmother. She doted on her family and was the host of many large holiday parties and lakeside picnics through the years. There always was a batch of warm cookies on the kitchen counter.

Mary loved to travel and spent many happy days in Europe and all across America with her family. She also was involved in many civic and church groups in Waterville and traveled with a church group to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre shrine in Quebec many times over the years. She loved to sing in church and her lovely soprano voice soared to the rafters. In 2010, she was granted a Certificate of Recognition thanking and congratulating her on 50 years as a volunteer with the Rosary Sodality organization in Waterville.

She had many friends in Waterville and Winslow and had many exciting adventures with her friends Rose Manzo and Minnie Wilson. She also was a member of local women’s groups, Caring Friends, the Rosary Sodality, and the Exchangettes, and could be heard laughing and giggling with them whenever they met.

Mary was a generous and kind person, a benefit to the community, and much loved by her family and friends. She will be missed.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and siblings, husband Ovide, and son Arthur. She is survived by John (Dot), Jeanne (Mark), Mary, Carol (Dan) and Gregory (Amanda), her sister-in-law Wilma McNeill Pike, her daughter-in-law Lori Begin, her loving grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville, on August 3, 2023, at 10 a.m. with light refreshments served in the church hall following the ceremony.

Arrangements are under the direction and care of Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. An online guestbook may be signed, condolences and memories shared at http://www.gallantfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074, or to a charity of your choice.