Alice Joan (Smith) Monsen

Gorham- Alice Joan (Smith) Monsen, 85, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2017. The daughter of Henry G. and Alice (Quinn) Smith, she was born on December 21, 1931 in Manhattan, New York City. She attended Catholic Schools, and soon after graduation joined a major travel agency. This is where she met her beloved husband of 56 years, Sverre Henry Monsen who predeceased her in 2013. After living in California and then Texas, she moved with her husband and two young children to Maine, her "forever home", where they settled happily in Falmouth for 23 years. During this time, she was a loving and devoted wife and mother who stayed home to care for her family. She was also an active member of Holy Martyrs Catholic Church for many years where she volunteered for various activities ranging from teaching Sunday school to assisting with a refugee resettlement program. Eventually she rejoined the work force joining the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland where she worked as a secretary for many years. She made many dear friends while working there and was well known, especially for her sense of humor. In 1999, she and her husband moved to Gorham, where she lived with their daughter, son-in-law and Grandson for another 17 happy years. She moved into the Gorham House after a brief illness in late 2017 where she received incredibly warm, loving and compassionate care until she passed peacefully last Saturday. She enjoyed cooking, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and loved being near the ocean. There were countless summer days spent at Higgins Beach and many years of camping at Baxter State Park. In later years it was Kettle Cove that became a weekly trip with her husband where they would sit for hours taking in the view. Traveling was especially important to her. She and her family enjoyed many memorable trips to Norway, her husband's homeland, and also to many other countries in Europe. The trip that remained in her memory the most was the last one she took with her husband to Alaska – their bucket list was complete! Alice will be dearly missed, and always lovingly remembered by, her daughter, Kristin Monsen Coolbroth, and her husband Scott P. Coolbroth of Gorham, her son Erik Monsen and his wife Blanca (Gurrola) Monsen of Gorham, her grandchildren Erik S. Coolbroth, Blanca Monsen and Carlos Monsen all of Gorham, her nephew Robert Henry of Jupiter Florida, and last but not least, her beloved dog Bella. Each one was cherished by Alice in their own unique way. Services will be private. Arrangements are under the care of Dolby, Blais & Segee, Gorham Chapel.

Alice Joan (Smith) Monsen

December 21, 1931 - November 4, 2017

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