Mary Teresa Hegarty

Mary (Maura ) Teresa Hegarty (Goggin ) died peacefully at home in East Lansing, Michigan on September 15, 2016. Strong, elegant, and grand throughout her life, she bravely faced cancer, living each remaining day with the love and companionship of family and her many friends.

The daughter of Seamus and Theresa Goggin (White), Maura was born on November 15, 1939 in Galway, Ireland. She was raised in the West of Ireland in Carraroe with summers on her beloved Achill Island. Maura attended nursing school in Birmingham, England where she earned an RN degree and specialized in Emergency Medicine. While working in London as a nurse, she met her loving husband of 49 years, Patrick Vincent Hegarty.

Constant companions in life, Maura and Vincent enjoyed an adventurous and fulfilling life of travel, the arts, family, and friendship. During her active and fulfilling life, Maura lived for some period of time in the West of Ireland, Dublin, Cork, Minnesota, Texas, Michigan, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, and the United Arab Emirates. In retirement, she maintained homes in Dublin, Ireland, and East Lansing, Michigan where she enjoyed an active life with family and friends. She worked for many years as an emergency room nurse, preferring the active and important overnight shift. She also contributed to her community for many years as a volunteer for arts and youth education programs.

Even to her last day, Maura showed concern and compassion for others, and took great joy in her family. She is survived by her loving husband Vincent; children Adrian and Neal; daughters-in-law Brittney and Amanda; grandchildren James, Benjamin, Patrick, and Rachel; siblings Padraig, James, and Triona; and, many extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Seamus and Teresa, and her dear sister Angela.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 23, 2016 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in Lansing, Michigan at 900 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912. Burial and funeral Mass will be held at a later date for family and close friends on Achill Island, Ireland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hospice of Lansing, a caring and compassionate nonprofit organization serving mid-Michigan (www.hospiceoflansing.org).