Patricia A. Carrigan
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Pat Carrigan (Patty to childhood family and friends), born November 8, 1934, passed away May 2, 2020. The covid-19 virus took her life as she fought a battle with breast cancer. She was a beautiful, talented lady who showed spirit and a will to live with no sign of the discomforts she endured.
She married Merrill Carrigan in 1957 and would have celebrated 63 years of marriage on June 10. She is survived by Merrill and their five children and nine grandchildren. Children and grandchildren include Shaun and children Meryl Delaney and Mary Rowan; Lisa (Mark) Szentes and children Josef and Anya; Susan (Allen) Morrill and children Thomas (Sarah), Madelene and Annabelle; Sarah Carrigan and her spouse Alex Bailey; and Alison (Greg) Hill and children Audrey and Dylen Fritz.
She was preceded in death by her parents Bonnel and Opal Harcourt Boring, and brother Richard Boring. Sister Jenny (Richard) Egan survives.
Pat was a lifelong resident of Rush County, living in their lovely, historic Victorian home, the fourth generation of the Harcourt family to have lived there. She graduated from Milroy High School in 1952, Earlham College in 1956 (BA) and Mount Holyoke College in 1958 (MS). She and Merrill returned to Rush County in 1958 to begin their family near her parents and childhood home. She enjoyed being a housewife and mother, and supported Merrill in his many interesting endeavors over the years, as he supported her numerous projects and interests.
After her children were grown, she tutored English to spouses of the Japanese executives at Fujitsu Ten in Rushville.
She had many interests and friends from the organizations she was affiliated with, including Milroy United Methodist Church; Rushville Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; Milroy Monday Study Circle; Heart in Hand Quilt Guild, Rush Co. Heritage, Rush Co. Historical Society and Milroy Literary Society. She held offices in all the groups. She quilted for many years and made dozens of beautiful quilted wall art, quilts, and decorative items for the home. She maintained an interest in flowers and plants dating back to her college years and was known for her beautiful flower beds and gardens. In recent years, she particularly enjoyed serving as Registrar with the DAR, conducting genealogical research to assist new affiliates achieve their memberships. She carried on her mother, Opal's, interest in filling in missing pieces of her family genealogy records.
Pat graciously hosted countless visitors and events. These included holidays, family reunions, friends, teachers' groups, church groups, club meetings, and many passersby looking for historical information, outdoor recreation, or even respite from a long bicycle ride. Pat's attention to detail made her home warm and inviting, plus welcoming and sustaining to all.
After group restrictions are lifted there will be a service for the community to celebrate her life. The date, time and place will be announced later. Please light a candle and share a memory or condolence online at www.ToddFuneralHome.com