Maureen Ann Groening left this life on Dec. 17, surrounded by her family after suffering a stroke 36 hours earlier. She was born Maureen McGunnigle in Mineola, on Long Island in New York, the first child of James and Gertrude (Dussault) McGunningle.

Family was first for Maureen, and throughout her life, there was always plenty of family with whom she could gather, and share stories and a laugh. Two boys—Jimmy and Joe—and two girls—Susan and Kathleen—followed in her family on Long Island, and she remained close with them and their spouses, and their children and grandchildren, for the rest of her life. Kathleen, her youngest sister, died in 2015, leaving Maureen broken hearted; thinking of Kathleen could bring her to tears, even as recently as this month.

Maureen met Don Groening in 1955, and after two years of courting, they married. Being good Catholics, they quickly brought her more family: Sons Don Jr., Tom, Tim, and Steve came in quick succession. In fact, Maureen had her four boys in just five years, before finally conceding that she would not have a daughter. But God was good to her, with her first grandchild being a girl, and with another granddaughter following soon after.

Don was a junior high history teacher, and Maureen was pleased to be a stay-at-home mother, long before the phrase needed to be coined. She served on the PTA, as a Cub Scout den mother, and was happy to host the often-noisy Wiffle ball and touch-football games in her backyard. She also tolerated her sons’ often-loud rock music records, and after they moved out, she embraced much of the same music on her own stereo. She also took a job when her children were older, working for 16 years at a church nursery school, where she nurtured hundreds of children as Miss Maureen.

Maureen was proud of her Irish and French (and maybe some Mohawk) heritage, and enjoyed learning about her ancestors. She regaled her children, grandchildren, and her many friends with colorful stories about her many uncles, aunts, and cousins. Her Irish gift of gab, clever wit, and ready laugh were the facets of her personality that shone brightly. She was humble, empathetic to all, and warm.

And she accepted all of life’s highs and lows with ease and perspective, never giving in to worry or anxiety, which provided a counter-balance to her husband Don. And for Don, she was the love of his life. He was devoted to her, caring and providing for her as his central goal. Until her final hours, he was painstakingly careful to be sure she took her medications, kept up with her doctor appointments, and that she was safe. 

He also provided her with a life rich with experience and exploration. For decades, there were summer-long camping trips, and when Don retired at 55, they were able to visit Europe (including a memorable stay in Paris, where Maureen’s brother Jimmy served in the embassy), and then, later, a three-week trip to Ireland. Caribbean and Alaskan cruises also were enjoyed.

After leaving Long Island for a permanent home in Belfast in 1992, they were able to winter in Florida, where Maureen enjoyed making many new friends, as well as playing tennis, golf, and gathering with fellow quilters (she also enjoyed, until her final days, a close bond with members of a Belfast quilt club).

Being in Belfast let her enjoy seeing grandchildren Cassedy, Jesse, Patrick, and Daniel grow up, and she insisted on traveling often to New York to keep up with grandchildren Alison, TJ, and Kyle. In recent years, she was thrilled to see two great-grandchildren—Lucelia Maureen and Melody—join her family. At their Belfast home, Maureen loved beautifying the yard with her gardens, as well as exploring Maine and Maritime Canada with Don for hikes and overnight trips.

Maureen’s passing will cause the solar system that is her family to wobble for a time, as they confront a sizable absence. But her death was peaceful, and she would say she was ready to be with Jesus whenever God called her.

She is survived by Donald, her husband of 62 years; siblings Jimmy and his wife Sally and their children; Susan and her husband Jim and their children; Joe and his wife Stephanie and their children; and Bob Krohn, husband of Maureen’s late sister Kathleen, and their children. She is also survived by sons Donald Jr. of New York; Tom and his wife Gail of Belfast, and their children Cassedy and her husband Ian and their children Lucelia and Melody of Brunswick; and Jesse of Belfast; Tim of New York and his former wife Kelly, with whom she remained close, and their children Allison and her fiancé Jordan, and TJ and his wife Megan; and Steve and his wife Leanne of Belfast and their children Patrick and Daniel, and Steve’s son Kyle.

A celebration of life will be hosted in the spring.