KENNEBUNK – Sara Jane McDonald Elliot, crowned Queen of Maritime Day for the Port of Portland, Maine in 1958, could also steer a rear-wheel drive car out of a skid on any snowy, rural road in her native state, or elsewhere, for that matter. Born in Portland on Jan. 24, 1940, she died in Kennebunk on Oct. 16, 2025.

In between, she traveled extensively in Europe, the UK, Africa and Greece. Eager to see new places, she always chose to see a new country, except Greece. She loved Greece so much she went back a second time.

Raised in the Congregational Church in Portland, she raised her children in the Congregational Church in South Paris where she taught Sunday School and led the Children’s Choir.

Later, Sara Jane and Rita became Quakers, serving as co-clerks and then “SJ” as treasurer of Portland Friends Meeting, where Sara Jane felt the Quaker belief that there is “that of God in everyone” spoke most clearly to her spirituality.

Sara Jane was predeceased by her parents, Daniel C. and Mary Louise Walker McDonald; and her brother, Daniel C. McDonald, II.

She is survived by her spouse, Rita Clifford; her children, Emily Elliot (Peter Houghton), Karin Elliot Whitney, Liesl Elliot, Bruce Elliot (Marie-Pierre Nadeau); her grandchildren, Thomas Begley, Abbey Begley, Morgan Elliot, Elias Raimondi-Elliot (Sara Raimondi), Cora Elliot, Leeza Kopaeva; her great-grandson, Rowan Bouchard; her bonus children, Andrea Clifford (Gerald Chalo Taiti) Lynn Howe (Mark), Beth Clifford (Philip Harriman); and bonus grands, Olivia and Zachary Howe; her cousins, Marjorie Ramseur, Jane Siebert; and her sister, Margaret Heffner; and so many, many loving friends.

The service of remembrance will be at Portland Friends Meeting, 1837 Forest Ave., Portland, Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow.

Please consider donations in her honor to The Maine Women’s Fund stewarded by the Maine Community Foundation.