Mary A. Gilligan
...retired from Raytheon
TEWKSBURY - Mary A. (Canavan) Gilligan, a retired specialist at Raytheon, died Thursdaymorning, Apr. 15, at her Tewksbury residence, after a gallant eight year battle with cancer. Shewas the wife of John H. Gilligan, who died in 1971.
She was born in Boston, a daughter of the late Michael and Delia (Ridge) Canavan, and raised in South Boston. She was graduated from Cathedral of the Holy Cross High School inBoston. She had resided in Tewksbury since 1963.
She retired as a communications specialist for the Raytheon Company, based in Burlington, andlater at Tewksbury’s Apple Hill sites.
She was an active member of St. William’s Parish in Tewksbury.
She will be remembered as a vocal supporter of the National Democratic Party, and a frequentvisitor to Las Vegas and Foxwood casinos.
She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Karen Gilligan of Lowell, Colleen andher husband Michael Begonis of Tewksbury; a son, Timothy T. Gilligan of Hudson, NH; twosisters, Dolly Mahoney of Tewksbury, Beverly Canavan of Somerville; a brother and sister-in-law,Robert and his wife Lucy Canavan of Milford, NH; six grandchildren, Kelli DeMarco, Ryan andBroghan Gilligan, Michael, Christopher and Jack Begonis; and many nieces and nephews.
She was also sister of the late John “Jack” Canavan, and Joseph Canavan.
Her Funeral Mass was held Saturday, Apr. 17, in St. William’s Church, Tewksbury. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.
Memorials to the Saints Memorial Medical Center, CancerCenter, c/o Foundation Office, Hospital Drive, Lowell, MA 01852, will be appreciated.