Marie J. Gilligan Mahan

Framingham – Mrs. Marie J. (Bushey) Gilligan Mahan, of Framingham, formerly of Waltham, died Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at her home. She was 94.

Born in Greenfield, she was the daughter of the late Edward J. and Mary Jane (Sullivan) Bushey. She graduated from Waltham High School, Class of 1934.

Mrs. Mahan spent the war years working at Raytheon. She also spent many years at the reception desk of Waltham Hospital.

She was a member of several poetry groups, including the Massachusetts and New Hampshire state groups. She won myriad awards and has had her poetry read by the mayor of Waltham. She was most recently awarded the Poet Laureate of Waltham. An avid reader, she loved biographies and fiction. She was always generous in her donations to charitable organizations.

The wife of the late Lawrence P. Gilligan and the late Arthur F. Mahan she leaves her brother, Daniel O. Bushey Sr., of Framingham; her sisters-in-law Aldia Bushey of Athol and Raymonde Bushey of California; nephews, Esmonde Bushey, Jr. of Florida, Charles Bushey of Westminster, Daniel and Patrick Bushey of California, Daniel Bushey, Jr. of Vermont, David Dixon of Dartmouth and Scott Dixon of Connecticut; nieces, Lynne Davis of Alaska, Joyce Serravo of Colorado, Constance Sonn of Athol, Lori Blades of Boston, Michele Poedtke of California, Eileen Rivera of Framingham, Susan Manning of Worcester and Mary Lou Kahn of Martha’s Vineyard and several grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was the sister of the late Esmonde J. Bushey, Charles E. Bushey, Eileen Dixon, William L. Bushey, Vincent E. Bushey and Ralph P. Bushey.

Family and friends will honor and remember Marie’s life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, December 27th, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to Waltham Veterans Services, 119 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451.