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Celebrating the life of Mary Marie Gaffigan
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Obituary for Mary Marie Gaffigan
The Funeral Service will be live-streamed beginning at 12pm. We will also record the service and put it online if live-streaming is not an option. The link below is for the live-stream.
Mary “Marie” Gaffigan, 94, died peacefully of natural causes on Saturday, August 15th at The Sunrise of Shelby Township Assisted Living Facility in Shelby Township, Michigan. Born and raised in Tabor City, North Carolina, Marie spent her early years living on a tobacco farm with her parents, Jacob and Maggie Williams, along with brothers Dale and Don, and sisters Agnes and Myrtle.
After World War II, Marie met John Patrick Gaffigan, a handsome Marine who would win her heart and take her back to Detroit, Michigan to marry her. In 1950, John, Marie and their first three children moved into their first home in Roseville, Michigan. They went on to have five more children while living there. After raising two sons and six daughters, Marie returned to school to continue her education. She completed her Associates Degree at Macomb County Community College. After graduation, she began her career in the Public Affairs Office at Naval Air Facility Detroit, Selfridge ANGB.
In her free time, Marie could always be found gardening. She brought her love of the land with her when she left her home in North Carolina. Her beautiful landscaping and gardens were unsurpassed, and they were her pride and joy. Also, having played basketball in her youth, she particularly enjoyed watching good games of college or professional basketball. Of course, she was partial to the NC college teams.
After her husband’s death in 1987, Marie became active in the Roseville Senior Center. She joined two bowling leagues, played pinochle, loved to line dance, and enjoyed taking trips with the Seniors group. She helped with hospitality at Sacred Heart Church, and spent two weeks doing volunteer work for The Christian Appalachian Project. She shared her home for a year with a lovely foreign exchange student named Lina Jonson from Stockholm, Sweden and made her a beloved part of our family. She visited Lina and her family in Sweden and had a wonderful time.
Marie spent most of her remaining years living in her Roseville home, filled with so many wonderful memories. She loved to laugh, and was never happier than when she was surrounded by her family. Inevitably, the stories would make her laugh until tears rolled down her cheeks. She was a sweet soul and will be truly missed.
Marie leaves behind seven children: Carolyn Gaffigan; Rosalyn Morris; Gwendolyn (Walter) Shaffer; David (Lynn) Gaffigan; Madeline Gaffigan; Brian (Terrie) Gaffigan; and Wendy (Mostafa) Jouad. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, all whom she loved and was loved by dearly. Marie now Rests in Peace with her husband, John Gaffigan; daughter, Margaret Gaffigan; granddaughter, Claressa Russell; and her beloved faithful dog, Buddy.
A private service will take place Thursday, August 20, 2020 at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home in Clawson, Michigan. For those who wish to view the funeral service live click the link below at 12pm. (A link will be provided Thursday) A recording of the service will be available following the service. Marie will be laid to rest with her husband of 43 years at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Roseville, Michigan.
Memorials may be made in her name to the Christian Appalachian Project, P.O. Box 55911, Lexington, Kentucky 40555-5911or to Alzheimer’s Association, 25200 Telegraph Road, Suite #100, Southfield, Michigan 48033.
