Let’s start with the obvious. I am writing my own obituary on August 23, 2025. I have every intention of living long and well but none of us know how long that will be. Pancreatic cancer was discovered in my otherwise healthy body in mid March 2025. I will do everything in my power to keep it at bay until my body tells me the time has come to let it go. That date has finally arrived – January 2, 2026.

I, Margaret Theresa Clancey, was welcomed into this world by my parents, Frederick Edward and Catherine Montgomery Clancey, on October 25, 1948, and soon after met my brother, Frederick Edward, Jr. (aka Rick). I was preceded in death by my parents, my brother, and my favorite cousin, Jim Corey. Those staying on Earth are first and foremost the love of my life, my soulmate, my wife and partner in life, Beth of Orono.

We have been together since May, 1988, and legally married since November, 2014; you can do the math. In addition, I have one sister-in-law, but we consider ourselves sisters, Jane Baker Clancey, Venice, FL; nephews Jamie M. Clancey, his partner Teri Peck, and Jamie’s son Jameson, Colorado Springs, CO; Shamus C. Clancey, and his partner Jacki Fichtner, Canandaigua, NY; and many cousins and friends both near and far.

My life’s work was as a sixth grade teacher in the Bangor School System with a stint as the president of the Bangor Education Association during a rather tumultuous time. Both responsibilities helped me to grow as a person and learn to appreciate the many roles in education.Travel has been a constant companion for Beth and me. Biking, hiking, touring and exploring have taken us to several continents and opened our eyes to other cultures. Cycling around the greater Orono area was a way to maintain good health and stay in shape, along with tennis, pickleball and long walks. Bridge has been a mental challenge over the years and continues to be a way to connect with others and exercise the brain at the same time. Volunteering one’s time is a way to give back to the community. Over the years I have had four students who quickly became friends through Literacy Volunteers of Bangor. A rewarding experience that expanded my horizons through knowledge of other cultures around the world. Try it; you might like it! I also served as a public member of the Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar.

I have always known I had a moral compass but could not really describe its origin. I knew it began and ended with basic fairness. In the last few months I have managed to label it thanks to the state of our political upheaval. DICE is my acronym for what is and has always been my standard for fairness. Diversity, Inclusion, Compassion, and Equity sum up the basic components for me to follow in living a good life.

At my request there will be no service. I might suggest you gather with like minded friends, raise your glass, tell a few stories and think of random acts of kindness. Always stop when you see a child selling lemonade and buy a glass even if you don’t like lemonade. The joy in seeing a child’s face light up just because you stopped is worth the cost of admission.

Let me end with one of my quotes. This is a paraphrase of Shakespeare quote from Hamlet. “And to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man, woman, or child.”