Margaret Gilligan

Margaret Gilligan of Clarks Green died Monday evening at Mountain View Care Center in Scranton. She was the wife of James H. Gilligan, Dunmore, who died in 1975.

Born in Dunmore, daughter of the late John and Anna Yancisin Yash, she graduated from Dunmore High School in 1950 and went on to become a certified bookkeeper, retiring from Harnischfeger Industries. Margaret was a volunteer for the American Red Cross for more than 25 years. She was a very devout Catholic and a member of the Church of St. Gregory in Clarks Green. Margaret's boundless love for her family, her devotion, fortitude and faith will continue to strengthen and encourage her family and friends through the generations.

Surviving are a daughter, Denise Matis, Scranton; three sons, Dr. James J. Gilligan, DDS, Mansfield, Conn.; John Gilligan, Pembroke, N.H.; and Richard Gilligan, Warwick, R.I.; 10 grandchildren, Jacqueline Burdick, J. Douglas, Brandon, Dylan, Ryan and Nina Gilligan, Adam, Christine, Aaron and Emily Matis; two great-grandchildren, Jimmy Burdick and Velina Matis; two sisters, Helen DeJulius, Brigantine, N.J.; and Claire Domnick, Clarks Summit; several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by an infant brother, Stephen.

Her children would like to express unending gratitude to their spouses and Robert Lucas for opening their homes and hearts to Margaret, particularly over the past several years during her illness. They would also like to thank the staff of Mountain View and Hospice of the Sacred Heart for the compassionate, dignified and professional care that Margaret received during the past two months.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Gregory, 330 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, to be celebrated by the Rev. John Lapera, pastor. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, Hollisterville.

Friends may call Saturday from 9 until time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to either the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, One Intrepid Square, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036, or online at www.alzinfo.org; or the Alzheimer's Association , P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090, or online at www.alz.org.