Maureen Willard Harper

Maureen Willard Harper, age 90, of South Portland, Maine, passed away on February 11, 2026, after a brief illness.

Maureen was born in Portland, Maine to George Willard and Annie Joyce Willard. She was the eldest child of four and was predeceased by brothers Paul and Edward, and her daughter Mary Lynn Noyes (Edward), and is survived by sister Barbara Willard Dunn (James), and daughter Anne Mason (Caleb). Maureen loved reminiscing about helping her mother watch over her siblings and shared her mother's wisdom and sense of humor. She was a wonderful mix of her father, coming from an historic South Portland family, and her mother, the child of immigrants from Connemara, Ireland.

Maureen was a South Portland High School graduate where she was an active student, involved in class government, and was also head cheerleader. She maintained that joie de vivre throughout her life, always at the center of a social whirl. Maureen joined New England Telephone Company working in the business office. She also worked in the research library at the Portland Press Herald, a job she truly enjoyed.

She was a longtime volunteer at the South Portland Food Cupboard and a devout parishioner at Holy Cross Church. Stylish and active until her final days, Maureen was a lifelong liberal Democrat who opened her heart to those in need. She loved to exercise and take long walks and was a regular at the South Portland Community Center.

She was a doting grandmother who never missed a dance recital, theatre production, or birthday party for her grandchildren Chris Noyes (April), William Mason (Erin), and Sarah Mason Brookings (Alex). She very much enjoyed being a great-grandmother to Teddy Brookings and Bella Noyes.

She also loved her many nieces and nephews Mary Ann Page (Mark), Susan, Stephen (Rob), Sally (Patrick) as well as her stepchildren with her second husband Major John Harper (predeceased), including Jeanine Harper Maruca (Michael) and their daughter Ellie; John Harper, Jr; Mark Harper (Donna), and Glenn Harper (Patricia). Maureen and John travelled the world together, especially enjoying time spent in Ireland, Italy, and Mexico.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at Cape Memory Care for making her final years busy and fun, as well as the nurses with Gentiva Hospice. Maureen enjoyed them all and became fast friends with caregivers who came from around the world to contribute to our local community. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Portland Food Cupboard.

She will be celebrated at a funeral mass at Holy Cross Church in South Portland on February 25th at 11 a.m. Meet and greet family at church at 10:30.