Maureen P. Hibbard

     Maureen was born August 3rd, 1954 to Aida and John Martone and grew up in North Andover, Massachusetts, where she was raised with her older, adoptive brother Rodney, of whom he was fiercely protective.  A capable artist from a young age and a voracious reader, as a child Maureen spent many evenings at her local library reading about local history and the Civil War. Maureen followed her older brother to Merrimack College, where she earned a degree in Psychology, beginning her lifelong interest in the paranormal. Her knowledge of New England ghost stories bordered on the encyclopedic, with few things bringing her as much joy as recounting the backstory of an old Victorian mansion.  In 1977, she met her to-be husband, Kevin, while working together at Epsilon Data Management; her a newly-hired secretary and him an operations manager. Despite the cliched misgivings of her Italian-American parents about her non-Italian boyfriend, Kevin quickly won them over and the two began their romance hiking and kayaking throughout the northern Appalachian Mountains. They were married on 6 October, 1979 at the Merrimack College chapel, remaining best friends throughout their lives together.   Both her husband's muse and pragmatic half, Maureen guided the family's small business and real-estate ventures from dreams to reality. After the birth of their only son, Shawn, to whom she was endlessly devoted, they left New England to a warmer life in Naples, Florida. All her life she paved paths for others, founding a regional parents club for aspiring Air Force Academy cadets to help others follow in her son's footsteps, who is now a Major in the Air Force.  An ardent Catholic, Maureen was a pillar in the St. Agnes Church community from when it first began celebrating mass in the cafeterias of local schools. Always volunteering, she could always be found at the Saturday Vigil mass helping with ushering, collections, or the Eucharist. Maureen was always passionate, positive, and driven. From their first dates in the New England backcountry to the annual family trips to Tennessee, Maureen and her husband enjoyed an active and adventurous life. A fitness fanatic, her workout routines could wind her military son, with whom she also subjected her many health food experiments. Twice a cancer survivor, Maureen never lost hope or determination when diagnosed a third time, fighting to the very end to be with her family. Maureen is survived by her husband Kevin, son Shawn, daughter-in-law Paige, and granddaughter Adelaide, whom she adored more than anything.  A special gratitude is extended to the University of Miami health team and the Avow Hospice staff for their care and assistance throughout this time.  A memorial gathering will be held on 18 April from 1-4pm at Fuller Funeral Home (1625 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples) and a funeral service will be held on 19 April at 11am at St. Agnes Catholic Church, followed by a burial at Palm Royale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation.