Mary Elizabeth Flanagan Galligan

Mary Elizabeth Flanagan  Galligan, 74, of Little River  and formerly of Lisbon Falls, Maine, passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday 2020, March 10, with her loving husband by her side. Mary was born on Feb. 5, 1946, in Bangor, Maine, the daughter of the late Joseph and Marguerite (McHale) Flanagan.

She was married to Howard Joseph Galligan Jr. on Feb. 28, 1965, at St. Mary’s Church in Bangor, Maine. They had just celebrated their loving and devoted marriage of 55 years.

Mary worked for Converse Shoe, McDonald’s, Samson’s Grocery Store and for the Lisbon School Department as a special education technician while she and her husband raised their six children together in Brewer, Presque Isle and Lisbon Falls, Maine.

She was a communicant at Holy Family Church in Lisbon Falls and Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in North Myrtle Beach.

Mary also volunteered at the food bank, where for many years, she helped organize the Thanksgiving Day baskets for those families in need.

She enjoyed baking her famous banana bread and whoopie pies.  She loved cooking family dinners and welcomed many neighborhood friends that were always like family. She always said that it was “just like setting another plate at the dinner table”. She welcomed everyone into her home with open arms.

She was a very loving and selfless mother, grandmother and friend. She was a caretaker of many, always putting others’ needs ahead of her own. She had the best sense of humor and made all laugh with her one- liners.

Mary and Howard were known as world travelers visiting Hawaii, Mexico, Ireland, England and Scotland. They started vacationing in Myrtle Beach 20 years ago, and decided to make it their home, for their children and grandchildren to come visit the sunshine and the beach.

She began working at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach, where she was known as “Miss Mary” and made many friends over her 15 years.

Mary loved when all of her family, from near and far, could always be together. Family reunions in Myrtle Beach always brought her so much joy and happiness.

Above all, Mary was so very proud of her children and grandchildren. She often had a memory to share or a story to tell about each and every one of them.

She is survived by her loving husband, Howard Joseph Galligan Jr. of Little River; her children, Kelly Anne Galligan-Tebbets and her husband Jonathan of Lisbon Falls, Maine, Howard Joseph Galligan III and his wife Sheila of Boston, Mass., Debra Lee Galligan of Myrtle Beach,  Michael Robert Galligan of Hyde Park, Mass., Rebecca Elizabeth (Galligan) Harmatys and her husband Robert of Livermore, Maine, and Margaret Courtney Galligan-Schmoll and her husband Zachary of Lisbon, Maine; her grandchildren, Jennifer Whitmarsh, Paige Galligan, Jacob Whitmarsh, Cecelia Galligan, Alexa Harmatys, Grace Harmatys, Maeve Galligan, Maia Tebbets, Keegan Schmoll, MaKenna Schmoll and Rowan Schmoll;  her great-grandson, Issac Weaver; her brother, Joseph Flanagan of Little River;  her sister and brother-in law, Margaret (Galligan) and Fred Lennon of Little River; many special nieces and nephews; and her best friends, Roger and Nancy Fournier of Lisbon Falls, Maine.

She was predeceased by her grandparents, parents, in-laws, Howard Joseph Galligan Sr. and Grace Goldie (Court) Galligan, her sister and brother in law, Constance (Flanagan) and Robert York and many aunts and uncles.

The family would like to thank the very caring nurses, Sandy and Debra, who helped Mary feel comfortable and loved.

Lastly, Mary, mom and grandmother, would always like us to remember the good times.

Contributions may be made in Mary’s memory to any food bank of your choice.

Messages of condolence may be made to the family at hgalligan@sc.rr.com.

At Mary’s request there will be no visitation or funeral services.

Arrangements are under the care of Lee Funeral Home.