Michelle K. McGowan

ARVADA, Colo. – Michelle K. McGowan, of Arvada, Colo. and Bangor, Maine, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025, after a brief illness and stay in hospice care.

Born in Cambridge, Mass. on June 21, 1946, to Herman E. King of Old Town, Maine and Priscilla W. King of Hopedale, Mass/, Michelle was raised in a military family, which included many moves to a variety of states for her and her siblings in the early years. Those moves undoubtedly enhanced her ability to communicate with a variety of people and likely planted the seed for her later vocational pursuits. She graduated from the University of Maine, Orono in 1969 and later earned her Master’s Degree in Education from UMO as well.

Michelle had deep roots in Maine, where she spent the majority of her life. She was a beloved schoolteacher, having taught for over 30 years in the Bangor and Brewer public school systems. She was known for her passionate dedication to students and her unwavering commitment to excellence, both in and outside of the classroom. She had an infectious laugh and affable personality with the wisdom to look at myriad subjects with a broader view. This perspective helped to ensure that her students could reach their best potential. Her career in public schools encompassed elementary to special needs programs and from middle to high school classrooms. In each venue she was guided by one essential element: compassion for her students’ well-being and the ability to learn and grow. Michelle was also a tenacious advocate for those students who were underrepresented or came from challenging circumstances. She had the ability to see the potential in even the most difficult environments and met challenges with kindness and optimism.

Upon retiring from teaching, she relocated to Colorado to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. The move renewed her love of teaching as she helped to homeschool her grandson Eamonn throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Mainer at heart, Michelle loved the Maine coast and was always up for a lobster roll at the Eagle’s Nest with friends. She loved all kinds of music and she passed along and nurtured that love to her siblings. She truly cherished time well spent with family and friends and in later years treasured the time spent with Eamonn playing games, reading books, and watching movies. Always generous in spirit, she had a remarkable gift for remembering birthdays and sending cards throughout the year on special occasions and holidays – just to let people know they were thought of and cared about.

Michelle is survived by her son Sean McGowan, daughter-in-law Andrea Antognoni and grandsons Eamonn McGowan of Arvada, Colo. and Theo K. Brown of Gardiner, Maine; her siblings Michel King of Limington, Maine, Hunter King (Kathleen) of Turner, Maine, Jane Sullivan (Dick) of Groveland, Mass., Geoffrey King (Terry) of New Gloucester, Maine, Nancy Taylor of Windham, Maine, Joanne Taylor (Scott) of Cornwall Bridge, Conn.; and her uncle Virgil R. King of Portland, Maine.