Nance Maria Monaghan

CUMBERLAND – Nance Maria Monaghan passed away peacefully on Oct. 17, 2025, at The Mooring on Foreside, surrounded by her loving family and faithful friends. A Celebration of Life was held on the same day. She was born on June 8, 1954, in Bangor, the daughter of the late Dr. Stephen Monaghan and his wife, Luisa.

Nance graduated from Cape Elizabeth High School in 1972. She then attended Skidmore College, where she received her BA in Architectural History. While at Skidmore, she participated in the renovation of the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Nance enjoyed a full and interesting vocational career. One of her first jobs was at the Children’s Museum of Maine, where she traveled the state of Maine to stock the newly established Discovery Center. She later went to work for F.O. Bailey in the Old Port. Here, she was able to hone her encyclopedic knowledge of antiques and architectural structures. She went on to receive her real estate license, working for Ram Harnden and then Gleichman Asset Management.

Nance’s curiosity and adventurous spirit led her to acquire her Private Investigator’s license and become a partner at Angle Investigations. She later ran her own private investigation and consultation practice. In her later years, she spent her winters in Park City as a ski bum and vintage fashionista, then back to Maine and to her love of fly-fishing.

Nance’s love of exploring expanded beyond Maine to the world. She traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Her second husband was Australian, and she lived in Sydney for portions of the year, blissfully avoiding the bitter Maine winters.

Nance is survived by her sons, Alexander and Ian (Tiffany), and their three children, Wyatt, Sunny, and Maren; her five sisters Stephanie, Patricia, Kimberly, Jane, and Elizabeth, brother Stephen, and their spouses; and many, many good friends.

Nance’s family would like to thank The Mooring and Chaplain Michael Lacy and Kati Dee, RN at Beacon Hospice for their heartfelt support and passionate care.

In place of flowers, Nance’s family asks that you take a walk, collect weird and wonderful things on the way, enjoy music (sometimes turn it up loud), and yes, sit back and enjoy a nice glass of wine with family and friends