IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Helen Cecilia
Maguigan
November 15, 1923 – October 12, 2017
Obituary
Helen Cecilia Maguigan
Nov. 15, 1923 - Oct. 12, 2017
Lifelong Portland resident Helen Maguigan passed away peacefully Oct. 12, 2017, surrounded by family and full of gratitude for 93 wonderful years of life.
Helen was the fifth of six children of Irish immigrants Frank and Annie Whitney Dorigan. Helen grew up in the midst of an extended and vibrant Irish Catholic clan spread across the Portland area, including McDonnell, O'Halloran and Conroy cousins. She was a proud alumna of St. Andrew elementary school, Jefferson High (1941) and Marylhurst College (1945). Helen's employment during her college years included the Kaiser shipyards on Swan Island as part of the war effort.
During frequent extended family gatherings at the Dorigan family home on N.E. 9th Ave., Helen's father Frank enjoyed reciting poetry and leading robust discussions on history and world affairs, infusing Helen with similar interests which she carried to her final days. At Marylhurst, Helen discovered her lifelong passion of caring for others in need. After graduation, she began a career in social work for Catholic Charities and diligently traversed the Willamette Valley on behalf of foster children seeking a welcoming home. Helen's parents instilled values of compassion and tolerance, and these social justice themes played out repeatedly in Helen's long life.
Helen met the love of her life, Leo Maguigan, in 1950 after being introduced by her sister Mary. They married at St. Andrew Catholic Church in 1952. They moved into Leo's family home near the University of Portland where they raised their eight children and lived for 60 years until Leo's passing in 2012.
Helen and Leo's early marriage years were enlivened after Helen gave birth to two sets of twin boys only 12 months apart. Helen responded to the challenge of caring for four infants with her characteristic alacrity and selflessness. In the ensuing years, three daughters and a fifth son were born. Helen capably and tirelessly managed the large household, while finding time for an active role in Holy Cross school and church groups.
Helen and Leo raised their children among an extended network of relatives and longtime friends, including many other large Portland families. Fixtures on the Maguigan family calendar included August weeks at Rockaway Beach; large summer picnics; and festive Thanksgiving gatherings hosted by Helen and Leo at their Portsmouth Ave. home, which at their peak attracted scores of extended family members.
Helen returned to her social work career in her 50's and worked for Kaiser Permanente Hospitals where she lovingly assisted patients and families with elder care planning.
After her final retirement in the 1980s, Helen and Leo enjoyed the role of grandparents. She relished family gatherings and summer trips to Central Oregon that included long walks with strollers and reciting poetry with her beloved grandchildren.
Helen is survived by her sister, Kathleen Cullerton; her children, Tom, Tim (Rives Kistler), John (Leslie), Jim (Susan), Sue, Annie (Steve Mueller), Mary (Joe Fanelli), and Mike; her grandchildren, Brian, Lauren, Brendan, Ryan, Connor, Logan, Christopher, Michael, Matthew, and Anna; and her many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Leo Maguigan; her brothers, John, James and Francis Dorigan; and her sister, Mary Dorigan Williams.
In celebration and thanksgiving for the blessings of Helen's life, a concelebrated Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 5227 N. Bowdoin St., Portland, OR 97203. A reception will follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen's name to Holy Cross Area School, 5202 N. Bowdoin St., Portland, OR 97203.
Private interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Hustad Funeral Home.
Nov. 15, 1923 - Oct. 12, 2017
Lifelong Portland resident Helen Maguigan passed away peacefully Oct. 12, 2017, surrounded by family and full of gratitude for 93 wonderful years of life.
Helen was the fifth of six children of Irish immigrants Frank and Annie Whitney Dorigan. Helen grew up in the midst of an extended and vibrant Irish Catholic clan spread across the Portland area, including McDonnell, O'Halloran and Conroy cousins. She was a proud alumna of St. Andrew elementary school, Jefferson High (1941) and Marylhurst College (1945). Helen's employment during her college years included the Kaiser shipyards on Swan Island as part of the war effort.
During frequent extended family gatherings at the Dorigan family home on N.E. 9th Ave., Helen's father Frank enjoyed reciting poetry and leading robust discussions on history and world affairs, infusing Helen with similar interests which she carried to her final days. At Marylhurst, Helen discovered her lifelong passion of caring for others in need. After graduation, she began a career in social work for Catholic Charities and diligently traversed the Willamette Valley on behalf of foster children seeking a welcoming home. Helen's parents instilled values of compassion and tolerance, and these social justice themes played out repeatedly in Helen's long life.
Helen met the love of her life, Leo Maguigan, in 1950 after being introduced by her sister Mary. They married at St. Andrew Catholic Church in 1952. They moved into Leo's family home near the University of Portland where they raised their eight children and lived for 60 years until Leo's passing in 2012.
Helen and Leo's early marriage years were enlivened after Helen gave birth to two sets of twin boys only 12 months apart. Helen responded to the challenge of caring for four infants with her characteristic alacrity and selflessness. In the ensuing years, three daughters and a fifth son were born. Helen capably and tirelessly managed the large household, while finding time for an active role in Holy Cross school and church groups.
Helen and Leo raised their children among an extended network of relatives and longtime friends, including many other large Portland families. Fixtures on the Maguigan family calendar included August weeks at Rockaway Beach; large summer picnics; and festive Thanksgiving gatherings hosted by Helen and Leo at their Portsmouth Ave. home, which at their peak attracted scores of extended family members.
Helen returned to her social work career in her 50's and worked for Kaiser Permanente Hospitals where she lovingly assisted patients and families with elder care planning.
After her final retirement in the 1980s, Helen and Leo enjoyed the role of grandparents. She relished family gatherings and summer trips to Central Oregon that included long walks with strollers and reciting poetry with her beloved grandchildren.
Helen is survived by her sister, Kathleen Cullerton; her children, Tom, Tim (Rives Kistler), John (Leslie), Jim (Susan), Sue, Annie (Steve Mueller), Mary (Joe Fanelli), and Mike; her grandchildren, Brian, Lauren, Brendan, Ryan, Connor, Logan, Christopher, Michael, Matthew, and Anna; and her many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Leo Maguigan; her brothers, John, James and Francis Dorigan; and her sister, Mary Dorigan Williams.
In celebration and thanksgiving for the blessings of Helen's life, a concelebrated Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 5227 N. Bowdoin St., Portland, OR 97203. A reception will follow in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen's name to Holy Cross Area School, 5202 N. Bowdoin St., Portland, OR 97203.
Private interment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements by Hustad Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen Cecilia Maguigan, please visit our flower store.
Services
Memorial Mass
November
18
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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