Jill M. (Taylor) DeMarco

CAPE ELIZABETH – Jill Marie (Taylor) DeMarco, 61, Cape Elizabeth, passed away peacefully at home March 8, 2025, after a very tough fight with cancer following her diagnosis in December 2024. Jill faced her illness with great courage, grit and fortitude and was uplifted by the many prayers and support from her loving family and friends, especially the get-well songs sung to Gram by her grandsons.

Jill was born on March 11, 1963, in Gloversville, N.Y., to Arthur L. Taylor and Jeanne (Devenpeck) Taylor. Jill graduated from Broadalbin-Perth High School in 1981 and from Fulton-Montgomery Community College in 1983.

Jill worked 35 years for the State of New York, retiring from its Division of Housing and Community Renewal in 2018 where she worked as an associate budget analyst and later as a program research specialist helping administer Federal and State Weatherization funds. She also worked for the New York State, State Insurance Fund, Department of Transportation, and the Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Jill had a very strong work ethic, always striving to learn more, better herself and to be a valued team member wherever she worked. Jill began her career as a stenographer and was most proud of bootstrapping herself into the “professional ranks”, always with the encouragement of her husband and son and the help and guidance of many mentors and colleagues.

Jill was married to Michael DeMarco in 1990 after an office romance followed by a marriage proposal at the Nubble Lighthouse. Jill and Michael resided in Ballston Lake, N.Y., for 30 years before realizing a lifelong dream of moving to Maine in 2022. She was thankful to have the great privilege of exploring the many trails and beauty of Cape Elizabeth, meeting her new neighbors, and relaxing in her backyard sanctuary overlooking beautiful Cape Elizabeth Land Trust Woods. Jill loved a sunny afternoon at Willard Beach with Michael, taking in all the beach and water activity, frequently followed by a couple scoops of ice cream from their favorite nearby shop.

Jill was a woman of deep faith and cherished her time with family; some of her favorite times were romping in the backyard with Michael, son Taylor and their dogs. Jill particularly enjoyed cheering on Taylor at baseball games, bowling matches, and listening to him improvise on his trumpet. Jill loved the many vacations to Maine beaches and more recently being a “Gram” and playing and cuddling with grandsons, Grayson and Landon.

Jill enjoyed a wide range of hobbies including writing exceptional poetry, reading, card and board games, listening to music, and working out with Michael. Jill’s other athletic activities of swimming, walking, kayaking, snow shoeing, and bicycling gave her much joy outdoors. Jill’s favorite walk was from home to Fort William Park, always in awe of the beauty of Casco Bay. She was a lifelong dog lover, and her favorite part of the walk was the unleashed dog areas that she referred to as “Puppy Alley”, always looking for an opportunity to give and receive love from puppies, young and old, small and large.

Jill was very proud of participating in the 2023 and 2024 Beach to Beacon races and loved the outpouring of community support along the way. Jill also had the deepest respect and admiration for the courage of all cancer battlers and survivors long before being struck herself by the disease. She was preparing to train for the ocean swim leg for the local Tri for a Cure when she was diagnosed with her illness.

Jill was predeceased by brother, Timothy; and parents.

Jill is survived by her loving husband, Michael DeMarco; her son, Taylor DeMarco (Stephanie); and grandsons Grayson and Landon. Also survived by siblings, Glenn Taylor, Deborah Shafer, Rebecca McNamara; and cousins; nieces and nephews; and in-laws.

Jill did not want any formal services and instead asks for friends and loved ones to remember and honor her by choosing a day to celebrate her life by performing an act of kindness to someone in need, visit or support a local animal shelter, or support and donate to Tri for a Cure athletes.

Condolences may be expressed online at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com. Hobbs Funeral Home, South Portland.

Jill M. (Taylor) DeMarco