WORCESTER-Marion M. (Allen) Carrigan, 85, of Worcester, died Sunday, February 7th in the Sterling Healthcare Center after a short illness. Her husband of 54 years, John J. Carrigan, died in 2002. She leaves her daughter, Nancy P. Carrigan of Worcester and Centerville; three grandchildren, Deirdre P. and her husband Michael Morrissey of Pembroke, Stephanie J. and her husband Brennan White of Suffield, CT and Colleen M. Carrigan of Attleboro; a great grandson, Liam Patrick Morrissey; her twin sister, Dorothy E. and her husband Paul J. McQuade of Worcester; and a brother, John Allen of Worcester. Her son, John P. Carrigan died in 2004 and her sister, Frances (McAuliffe) Gilchrist, predeceased her.
Mrs. Carrigan was born in Worcester, the daughter of John E. and Nora (Carroll) Allen. A graduate of St. Stephen’s High School and the Worcester School of Business Science, she dedicated her professional career to public service in federal, state and city government. Her civilian career began as a clerk stenographer at the Pentagon. While there, Mrs. Carrigan became one of the first women to enlist as a SPAR in the Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, which was established during WWII. She completed specialized training at Hunter College and was stationed in Manhattanville Beach, Palm Beach and Boston. Mrs. Carrigan served with distinction until the SPARs were disbanded at the end of WWII. In 1992, on the 50th anniversary of the SPARs, she was honored for her service in ceremonies held in Washington, D.C., which included a cruise of the Potomac River on the CGC SPAR, a vessel named to recognize the service of these trailblazers. The CGC SPAR traveled from her home port of Portland, ME for the occasion. This cutter is recognized as the “cutter with the most gold” in the Atlantic Fleet. Mrs. Carrigan was a senior clerk stenographer for 28 years for the City of Worcester and retired from the Purchasing Department at City Hall in 1987. She was a parishioner at Our Lady of Angels Church, a charter member of the Women’s Memorial Monument in Arlington National Cemetery and a member of the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association.
The funeral is Tuesday, February 9th from O’CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday, February 8th from 4:00 until 7:00 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Church, 1222 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603.