Marie Doucette Aceto

Marie Doucette Aceto, 93 years old (1932-2025), a resident of Cape Elizabeth for 57 years, passed away on May 14, 2025. The daughter of Dorina and Albert Doucette, she was born in Portland, Maine on April 14, 1932. Marie was predeceased by the love of her life; husband, John J. Aceto, Jr., after 62 blissful years of marriage. They had an old-fashion love affair like no other. Marie continued to laugh at the memories of John and his quick wit, long after he passed, saying, “He made me laugh every day.”

Marie and John had five children, Gayl Horton and husband Dave from Mission Viejo, CA., Kathryn Aceto-Fischer and husband Jeff of Arroyo Grande, CA., John “Jack” Aceto and wife Lori from Cape Elizabeth, Paul Aceto of Boynton Beach, FL and Robert Aceto and wife Jill of Cape Elizabeth.

Marie was blessed with eight grandchildren, Jacqueline Horton-Guy, Maria Newkirk, Grant Aceto, Lauren Dunn, Matthew Aceto, Sierra Aceto, Nicholas Aceto and Jack Aceto. Her four great-grandchildren are, Landon Newkirk, Ava Hamner, Abigail Guy, and Caroline Guy. Marie cherished her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, proudly boasting of their accomplishments at every opportunity.

Marie attended Cathedral High School in Portland, where she was president of her class. Soon after, her father passed away and Marie and her mother moved to Westbrook. Marie graduated from Westbrook High School in 1950 and attended Northeast Business College.

Marie and John were active participants in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jay Cee) in the early years of their marriage. Never one to do things halfway, Marie’s enthusiastic and robust participation earned her the recognition of “Junior Chamber of Commerce Wife of the Year,” an honor she fondly remembered.

After her children were grown, Marie was employed by Maine Medical Center, in Child Psychiatry. Later, she worked as a Real Estate Broker, but her most satisfying career was working side-by-side with her husband John, in their Real Estate Development business. They were quite a team, developing, building and renovating single-family homes, apartment buildings and condominium projects.

Marie was a devout Catholic, and faithful communicant of St. Bartholomew’s Church in Cape Elizabeth. Marie served on three building committees, chaired many social event committees and also worked these events. Marie also worked alongside her husband on the Parish Council and many Christmas parties for adults with developmentally disabilities.

Marie was the primary caregiver of many of her aging relatives over the years, including her mother and several aunts from both her and John’s families. She continued this lifetime of giving and caring long into her eighties. Marie would not be deterred, as long as she could drive or Uber, she found a way to visit, run errands or just be there for her friends, both old and new.

The family wants to give special thanks to the staff at The Landing Assisted Living facility in Cape Elizabeth. Home Instead caregivers, and Beacon Hospice Care, for there attentive, loving care of our sweet mother. She so appreciated everyone who cared for her needs.

Marie’s family will be celebrating her life with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, Wednesday May 21st at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church, 673 Stevens Ave, Portland. Visiting hours will be at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland, on Tuesday, May 20th from 4:00-6:00. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, So. Portland. Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com for further information and to sign Marie’s guestbook.