Julie Ann McDonald

Julie was born in Portland, ME on July 26, 1961, to James and Louise (Monahan) McDonald of Gorham, ME. Growing up in South Gorham, the only girl in the middle of four brothers, Julie was always up for an adventure and could more than keep up. After graduating from Gorham High School, Julie headed to the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1987 with her B.A. in English and Irish Literature. Julie spent some time working and traveling, before returning to Maine to enter the Extended Teacher Education Program at The University of Southern Maine, and later, get her M.A. in Teaching. Julie stayed in Maine to begin her career teaching English Language Arts at Falmouth Middle School, where she also became the school leader for the introduction of Apple Integrative Technology, one of the first school systems in the country to bring computer technology to the classroom.

In 2006, Julie moved to Belgium where she first was the middle school English teacher, then lower school classroom teacher at the International School of Brussels. Upon returning to Maine, Julie taught middle school English in Camden-Rockport, the Durham Community School, and more recently was long-term substitute at Yarmouth Elementary School.

Wherever she was, Julie threw herself into her teaching. She liked to say that she learned as much from her students as they learned from her. Her passion and energy were never-ending. It seemed as though she was born to teach. She was also very proud of her collaboration with her colleagues and maintained close professional relationships throughout her career.

Julie loved to travel. Living in Brussels gave her the opportunity to see most of Europe and the UK, as well as Ukraine, and Africa. She especially loved her ski trips with colleagues and led many school ski trips as well.

To know Julie was to know she loved animals - especially her dog Cady. The two were inseparable and could often be found walking to the point at Winslow Park in Freeport, where Julie would chat with her neighbors while fearless Cady would chase anything, especially the groundhogs.

Julie is survived by her brothers, James, Jr. and his wife Laurie, of So. Deerfield, MA, Michael, of Bridgton, ME, Kevin and his wife Barbara, of Scarborough, ME, and Stephen McDonald, of Gorham. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Amy, Michael, Brian and Katelynn McDonald, as well as Brogan and Colin McDonald.

She was predeceased by her beloved Jack Russel Terrier “Cady”.

A small Celebration of Life gathering will be planned for a future date.

Contributions in memory of Julie may be made to Northern Light Home Care & Hospice Foundation,

P.O. Box 679, Portland, ME 04104

.