Maryellen Horrigan Obituary

Maryellen ("M'Ellen") Charron Horrigan of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away at the age of 82, leaving behind a family that adored her, a neighborhood that will never be the same without her, and a world that will be significantly less stylish. She is survived by her husband and best friend, James Joseph Horrigan, who wisely never tried to win an argument with her, and by her five children - Colleen Horrigan Blumenthal (Sarasota, FL), James Raymond Horrigan (Canton, MA), Kate Horrigan Folwell (Walpole, MA), Molly Horrigan Laferte (Bellingham, MA), and Kerry Horrigan Beaven (Carver, MA). These five are still debating which of them was actually the favorite. She is also survived by their spouses - James Folwell, Robert Laferte, Robin Horrigan, and Timothy Beaven - who all learned quickly that marrying into the family meant accepting a lifetime of lively debates, excellent food, and unsolicited but usually correct advice. She is also survived by her cherished sisters and brothers-in-law Trudy Horrigan, Ruth Ann Horrigan, Frank Reis, Hank Brautigan, along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends who felt like family. Her grandchildren - Katie-Beth Laferte Fields, Sam Blumenthal, Noah Blumenthal, Justin Laferte, Jamie Folwell, Margaret Folwell, Kelly Folwell, Ryan Horrigan, Maegan Horrigan, Liam Beaven, and Kayleigh Beaven and grandson-in-law Taylor Fields - will miss their grandmother's quick wit, boundless curiosity, slaying Wii Sports balance skills, excellent post-ski video playing and the fact that she could find them the perfect antique or piece of jewelry without ever paying full price.
M'Ellen was an expert genealogist, a trusted resource for authors and historians, and a firm believer that if you dug deep enough, you'd find an interesting scandal in every family tree. She also wrote for the Mt. Adams Grapevine, keeping her beloved neighborhood informed, entertained, and occasionally riled up, all in the name of community spirit. She was a dedicated member of the Immaculata/Holy Cross Church choir and a devoted post-Mass patron of Crowley's, because faith and fellowship were important to her.
A woman of many talents, M'Ellen was a skilled furniture painter and refurbisher, a job she considered more of a hobby but still managed to make profitable (somewhat). She skied until she was 76, proving that age was merely a suggestion. She never turned down a stroll - especially if it involved a flea market, an antique mall, garden stroll, or an opportunity to talk someone into a great deal.
M'Ellen never passed a conversation she didn't enrich. She had a natural gift for connection, a talent for storytelling, and a knack for making people laugh or reflect when they needed it most. Her home was a colorful reflection of her personality, her art, and her legendary avant-garde earring collection.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Joan Charron Reis, and her son-in-law, Mitch Blumenthal. They are no doubt thrilled to see her again, and she is probably already correcting Mitch on something.
In honor of M'Ellen's spirit, the family encourages you to strike up an unexpected conversation, wear something colorful, and buy that antique or plant you absolutely don't need but can't resist. And if you happen to find a piece of history along the way, even better.
The celebration of M'Ellen's life will begin Wednesday, March 26, 2025 with a Visitation at Gilligan Funeral Home in Kenwood from 4:00pm-6:00pm. Followed the next morning, Thursday, March 27, 2025, by her Funeral Mass at Holy Cross-Immaculata Church in Cincinnati, OH, at 10:00am.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mount Adams Civic Association or Hospice of Cincinnati, or simply sharing a good story in her honor.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Maryellen Horrigan, please visit our floral store.