Portland- Kristine McCarthy (Rowe) 60 native of Portland ME passed away on April 4th, 2023 due to complications after a 9-year vicious battle with cancer. In her early days she enjoyed hanging out with friends and spending time at the family lakehouse on Big Sebago. At the age of 18 she spent some time abroad in Germany before moving back to her hometown of Portland where she raised her children; Jeremy Peterson (39), Jason Peterson (36), Breanna McCarthy (21) and a step son Robert McCarthy (36). While they were growing up she ran a small daycare out of her home and as they grew her house became a favorite and welcome spot for the boys and their friends to hang out, the door was always open. Years later she owned and operated her own successful cleaning business servicing Portland, Falmouth Foreside and Yarmouth. During this time her long awaited and only daughter Breanna was born. Breanna became her entire world and vice versa. In 2013 Kristine was diagnosed with terminal cancer and began what many say was an unbelievable and long battle with the disease. She surprised both family and doctor's multiple times, saying "I'm not going anywhere yet!" The entire family would like to thank both the New England Cancer Specialist and Dr. Chiara Battelli for all they have done and for all the years they helped Kristine defy the odds over and over. She now shares April 4th with her best friend Debbie who passed away just 9 years earlier. Kristine is survived by her mother and father Ellen and Eugene Rowe. Her 3 sons, Jeremy Peterson, Jason Peterson and Robert McCarthy and daughter Breanna McCarthy; brother Robert Rowe; sister Karen Geary; Niece Kayla Geary; three granddaughters Madison, Brooke and Aria Peterson; grandson Giovanni Peterson; ex-husband and lifelong friend Donald Peterson, along with many more. Upon her wishes, all services will be private. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to New England Cancer Specialists.