Eileen Corrigan Lonergan, 52, died peacefully on October 31, 2018, surrounded by the love of family. Eileen is a remarkable mother to three remarkable girls and the best partner a husband could ever hope for. She will always be a beloved daughter, sister, and friend.
Eileen was exceptionally kind and smart. These qualities paired powerfully with a lightning-fast wit. To be with her was truly joyful. She had a quiet but powerful presence. She battled cancer fiercely, bravely, and with exquisite grace and good humor.
Eileen was born on August 24, 1966, and grew up in Saline, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1988 with a degree in Advertising. In 1993, she married Eugene (Gene) Lonergan and their adventurous spirit carried them buoyantly, making homes in London (where the 'London Girls' were born), Singapore, and Hong Kong before settling in Marion, MA in 1999. Gene and Eileen recently celebrated 25 incredible years of marriage.
She was the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time) mom and according to her daughters, she had only a hint of irony in her voice in her frequently repeated "I live to please" refrain. When it came to cooking (every single night), "Whatever you loved--that would be what she'd make." Lunches were packed (every single day) in a similar spirit. Many of her friends would say that they wanted to bottle whatever was going on at the Lonergan home because the parenting results were THAT spectacular. Eileen loved to volunteer. She spent numerous hours offering her time to Friends Academy, where the girls spent many years. She was often seen volunteering at the Beverly Yacht Club, CCD for St. Rita's Parish and at the Marion Public Library.
A friend from Junior High School said that even back in the days of their youth Eileen loved technology and could foresee the coming information age. Naturally entrepreneurial and visionary, she was proud to have built her own successful website design and marketing business. Her articles were published in in the U.S., Canada and the UK and she was named one of the 12 Woman to Follow by WordPress in 2016. Her clients glowed in testimonials about her creativity, coaching, and an uncanny knack for gently pushing them toward a better way.
Eileen was always on the go. Whether jogging with her golden retriever Rusty, trying to crush her Fitbit challenge group or on the Peloton alongside Gene, Eileen was nearly indefatigable. In March she completed a half-marathon in Philadelphia with Fiona. She remains, in perpetuity, the inaugural Bay Club Triathalon Champion.
She was predeceased by her father, John Corrigan. She is survived by her husband, Gene and their three daughters, Maura, Elizabeth and Fiona of Marion; her mother Barbara Corrigan of Marion; her sister Patricia Corrigan and her husband Edward Kelley of Melrose, MA and her brother Sean Corrigan of Guilford, CT; and beloved extended family and an army of friends who thought she was just the greatest thing ever.
Visiting hours will be held at the Saunders-Dwyer funeral home, 50 County Rd. Route 6, Mattapoisett on Monday, November 5th from 4pm-8pm. A memorial and celebration of life mass will be held on Tuesday, November 6th at 11 AM at Tabor Academy's Wickenden Chapel in Marion, MA.
In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Eileen Lonergan may be made to University of Massachusetts Memorial Foundation (UMMF) in support of her friend, Karl's cancer research in the Simin Lab. Gifts can be made online at www.umassmed.edu/give or mailed to:
Office of Advancement
UMass Memorial Medical Center
333 South Street Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Checks should be made out to "UMMF - Simin Lab" and should note that the gift is in memory of Eileen Lonergan.