Harriet Alice Gamage Moroney passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 18, 2026, at the age of 91, after spending nearly six years at Coastal Shores assisted living facility in Brunswick. Her family expressed deep gratitude to the staff at Coastal Shores and Beacon Hospice for the compassion, care, and kindness they showed throughout her final years.
Born on February 14, 1935, in South Bristol, Harriet was the daughter of Harvey Farrin Gamage and Jennie Vale (Plummer) Gamage. She grew up in a close-knit Maine family and carried a lifelong dedication to education, community service, faith, and family history.
Harriet graduated from Lincoln Academy in 1953 before attending the University of Michigan, where she studied Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Although she spent only a year there, it became an important chapter in her life because it was where she met Daniel Patrick Moroney, the man she would later marry on April 28, 1957, in South Bristol.
After continuing her education at Westbrook College and Boston University, Harriet later completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Maine at Augusta in 1983. Her determination to continue her education while raising a family reflected the discipline and perseverance that defined much of her life.
Professionally, Harriet worked in accounts receivable for Hunt Brothers Lumber and later served for many years as an accountant for Lincoln County News until her retirement. She was respected for her reliability, attention to detail, and strong work ethic.
Beyond her professional life, Harriet devoted herself to volunteer work, church service, and civic organizations. While living in Detroit, Michigan, she served as a Cub Scout den leader for her son Allen. After the family moved to Bath, Maine, she became active as a junior Girl Scout leader, volunteered at the Bath Memorial Hospital Coffee Shop, and eventually served as chairperson there.
Her faith remained an important part of her life. Harriet was a longtime member of the United Church of Christ in Bath, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, and assistant treasurer on the Board of Finance.
One of Harriet’s greatest passions was genealogy. She spent countless hours researching family history and became deeply involved in numerous historical lineage organizations. She held leadership roles at both the state and national levels in groups including the Daughters of the American Revolution, the National Society United States Daughters of 1812, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
She was especially proud of her work with the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company organization, where she served as Directory Chairman, Treasurer National, First Vice-President, and eventually President National from 2004 to 2007. Her leadership took her across the country, where she represented the organization with dedication and pride.
Harriet also played a major role in the Maine Mayflower Society, serving as Captain, Deputy Governor, and Governor. At the national level, she served as Deputy Governor General and Assistant General. She additionally founded the Maine Chapter of the Daughters of 1812 and dedicated many years to serving as both President and Registrar.
Despite her many accomplishments, Harriet remained deeply centered on family. She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel Moroney in 1996, as well as her parents and several siblings, including Ella Lane, Gertrude Rice, Dorothy Wright, Eunice Sigler, and Linwood Gamage.
She is survived by her daughter Jennie Louise Butler and husband Brian of Windham; sons Allen Harvey Moroney and wife Michelle of East Boothbay, and retired Lt. Col. Patrick Daniel Moroney and wife Col. Rosemary Thorne of Sedgwick. She also leaves behind grandchildren Nathaniel Butler, Matthew Butler, Michael Moroney, and Rachel Moroney, along with her great-granddaughter Kelsey Irene Butler, who was born earlier this year. Harriet is also survived by her sister Nancy Gamage of Garland, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to attend visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, at Strong-Hancock Funeral Home in Damariscotta. A Celebration of Life will be held there at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 22. Harriet will later be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at West Bristol Cemetery in Walpole, Maine.
Harriet Moroney lived a life defined by service, education, leadership, and devotion to family. Whether through her church, her volunteer work, or her lifelong dedication to preserving history and genealogy, she left a lasting impact on countless people and organizations throughout Maine and beyond. Her legacy continues through the generations of family she loved deeply and the communities she faithfully served.
