Nancy Terese Hourigan

Nancy was born in Teaneck, NJ, on December 7, 1936, youngest child of James Joseph and Anne V Mahoney. Her childhood was marked by delightful days spent with her parents, her brothers Dick and Jack, and her adored sister Patsy, and sadness at the early passing of her father when she was only 7 years old. She graduated from Holy Angels High School and briefly worked as a secretary in New York. Nancy fell deeply in love with her future husband, Dick Hourigan, an Irish Catholic like herself and they married on September 8, 1956. Throughout her life, her faith and her love for this man, held her up. Nance and Dick lived briefly in Chicago, where their first child, Katie, was born. In Matawan, NJ, Mike, Bill, Joe and Jim, joined the family. These were tumultuous years full of love and happiness and dreams coming true. A houseful of children, and a large extended family residing in nearby Toms River, NJ, and Oswego, NY, kept things lively, along with the dogs, cats, rabbits, school, church, and friends. There were wonderful vacations at Lake George and Cape Cod, and snowy winters and lovely summer weekends at the Jersey shore.

In 1970, Nancy and Dick moved the family to Woodland Hills, California. The promotion was nice, but more importantly the transfer placed them just 2 miles from Nancy’s lifelong best friend and advocate, a heroine she emulated and admired all her life, her beloved sister Patsy, husband Ed, and their 5 children. They had some great years! Nancy and Dick loved California. There were long days at the beach and evenings on the patio with family and friends. Bottlebrush and hummingbirds. Here the children grew and eventually left the nest.

After Dick’s retirement, they took up residence in Colorado Springs. Nancy loved the quiet home surrounded by trees and mountains. Her hummingbirds were there too, and very often the company of the children and grandchildren.

Nancy was known for her sense of humor, a love of all things Irish, and a passion for music. Her ways were gentle. She radiated a deep, abiding love, for her family. Over the years, Nancy suffered bravely through many health struggles. Loss and grief were a part of her life, but her life was shaped by the love in her heart. A love she always warmly, freely, gave. She truly felt others’ sorrow and her greatest joy came from seeing those she loved happy. Nancy was funny and brave and always wore her heart on her sleeve. Her life’s pain gave her an endearing vulnerability, sentimentality and a special empathy for all God’s creatures great and small.

Nancy’s love for her husband never wavered. He was her sun, moon and stars. When he passed suddenly, unexpectedly, the light in her beautiful blue eyes dimmed. It is with joy we can think of them, reunited and with their loved ones. Nancy is at peace. The light of God is shining eternally upon her. All those she loved, with all her heart, will hold her love close, until in joy we meet again.

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Nancy is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard Francis Hourigan, her loving parents, James Joseph Mahoney and Anne Mahoney (nee McEvoy), her brothers Dick and Jack, her dear sister, Patricia Farrell, and her blessed little grandson, John Sebastian.

Survived by five dearly loved children. Daughter, Kathleen Ann Hanley (husband James), sons, Michael Kenneth, William John (wife Pam), Joseph Bernard (wife Anne) and James Patrick.

Grandchildren, Matthew, Seamus, Rory, Mick and Quentin. Lauren, Lindsay, Erika, Natalie, and Luke. Brooks, Hayden, Emily, Tess, Joe and Lucy. As well as many dearly-loved nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2015, St. Peter Catholic Church, 55 N. Jefferson St., Monument, Colorado, a Rosary service will follow at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial is planned for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 24, 2015 at St. Peter Catholic Church.