PORTLAND — Mary E. Merrigan, 93, died Sept. 28 at Maine Medical Center following a brief illness.

Born in Portland, a daughter of James J. and Bridget E. Slane Wickham Sr., she graduated from local schools and attended Northeast Business College.

In 1941 she married Thomas A. Merrigan at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland.

They made their home and raised their family in Portland, where she was active in community groups, including the Daughters of Isabella, St. Elizabeth Circle 480 and the Irish American Club.

She was a longtime communicant of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, where she volunteered as a Eucharistic minister and helped establish the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen.

In her spare time she enjoyed traveling, sewing, knitting and puzzles.

She was predeceased by her husband Thomas on June 2, 1995, a grandson, Joseph Merrigan, in 1968 and a brother, James J. Wickham Jr., in 1989.

Surviving are her three children; two daughters, Mary Elizabeth Merrigan of Portland, with whom she lived, and Patricia and her husband George Semo of Biddeford, and a son, Thomas A. Jr., and his wife Jean of North Yarmouth; six grandchildren, Stephen Semo, Gregory Semo, Christopher Semo, Linda Croce, Pamela Mezzanotte, Betty Ballenger; 12 great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Pauline Booth of Springfield; good friend JoAnn Semo; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial services were held last week.

Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cathedral Restoration Fund, 307 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101 or St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen, 307 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101.

Sidebar Elements

---

Merrigan

Copy the Story Link