Jean “Nanny” MacDonald

STANDISH – On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Jean “Nanny” MacDonald left the loving arms of her surrounding family in her home, to eternally be back in the arms of her beloved husband, Lloyd N. MacDonald.

Jean’s immeasurable and endless love for her family and friends along with her zest for just simply living, shined brighter than the sun each and every minute of her 86 years of life on Earth. It is that shine that touched and left an impression on everything and everyone she encountered.

Jean came into this world on Aug. 1, 1939, first born and only daughter of the late Chester and Charlotte (Small) Dow. At a very young age, as soon as she could walk and talk, according to her, she discovered she had a passion in life. That passion was taking care of the ones she loved. She embraced that quality with pride and an ever-growing love in her heart that she would go on to spread for decades.

Shortly after completing high school, fate took the reins and she crossed paths with the man she would devote her life to, her true love and soulmate, Lloyd Norman. It was “love at first letter”. Jean and Lloyd’s love grew from a distance until Lloyd returned from the service. On Feb. 14, 1959, they wed, a day she spoke of often with a twinkle in her eye as if it were that very day again. They wasted little time before spreading their love and starting a family of their own. As a mom to three and a homemaker, her caretaking passion continued to grow and it spread beyond just her family. In fact, her home became the place in which her children and their friends, extended family and neighbors would gather and hang out. She always said “oh yeah, you never knew who was going to show up or what kind of chaos to expect”, and she loved every minute of it!

Jean’s proudest and most fulfilled years began the instant she became a grandmother. She was overjoyed and made it clear, she was going to be called “Nanny” from that point on, and so she was! Six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren had the honor of calling her their “Nanny”. She lived and breathed for her grand and great-grandchildren. She soaked up every bit of time she could with them and they were the main topic of just about every conversation she had with anybody. To say they were the “apples of her eye”, is an understatement!

“Nanny” lived every moment of life to the fullest, including never passing up a day at camp, a boat or side-by-side ride, a stroll around the yard with her dogs, even burnouts with her favorite driver! She loved her family endlessly. She touched the hearts of each and every person she met and for that, her spirit will live on forever.

Jean is survived by her children, Brenda Murphy and husband Neal of Auburndale, Fla., Pamela Boutin and husband Daniel of Standish, and Scott Macdonald of Poland; her brother, Dean Dow and wife Claire of Laconia, N.H., Mark Boutin and wife Brianna of Cape Elizabeth, Sabrina Morrell and husband Kenneth of Standish, Daniel Boutin and wife Liz of Limerick, Natasha Penney and husband Mitchell of Florida, Tyler Murphy and wife Krystal of Florida, Derek MacDonald and wife Stevie of Maine, Lori Gato and husband Jason of Standish; great-grandchildren, Madisyn Boutin, Mackenzie Boutin, Pierson Boutin, Mila Boutin, Kolby Morrell and girlfriend Taylor Mitsin, Kacee Morrell, Brynleigh Boutin, Brighton Boutin, Ella Gato, Noah Murphy and Gunner Murphy.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday March 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a funeral service at 12 p.m. at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service Chapel, 498 Long Plains Rd. (Route 22) in Buxton. Burial will immediately follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, Lloyd.

Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral home website, http://www.mainefuneral.com