Maureen Edson O'Halloran

Maureen Edson O'Halloran, 73, of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away quietly at home in PGI on May 10, 2008 after a very courageous 3 ½ year battle with cancer. Maureen, born in Osco, Illinois, April 26, 1935, moved to Homestead, FL for four years before moving across the state to Punta Gorda, with her husband, chiropractor Richard Saunders, in 1959. Maureen was an Interior Designer, and most recently remembered as owner of Maureen Saunders Interiors on Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda. Her experience and talents were best recognized last year when she was selected as the incoming president of the American Society of Interior Designers ASID of SW Florida. Maureen has also held a real-estate license since 1970. Maureen was very active supporting her community. A few of the boards she served on include the Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, President Charlotte County Mental Health Clinic, she served as Commissioner and Chairman of the Punta Gorda Housing Authority, and is the Past President of the Islettes, the woman's activities of the Isles Yacht Club in Punta Gorda. She was equally active in her personal life as President, Epsilon Pi Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, President, Sacred Heart Church, Guild of Our Lady, President of the Punta Gorda Garden Club, and President of the Punta Gorda Junior Women's Club. Politics was another of her avid interests. She was the Vice President of the Peace River Federated Republican Women's Forum, Committee Woman Precinct 41, Delegate to the Florida Republican Grass Roots convention in 1986 and an alternate to the Presidential II in 1987. In 1988 she ran for the Supervisor of Elections position of Charlotte County when Tosie Hindman retired. In 1970 she was selected as one of the Nation's Outstanding Young Women, and a Mrs. America Nominee.

Maureen will be greatly missed by her husband, Gerald J. O'Halloran, her children; Teresa Johnny Opsahl; Steven Saunders; Michael Michelle Saunders; Patrick Saunders and Mary Beth Bobby Legg; step-children, Roberta O'Halloran, Mark O'Halloran and Scott O'Halloran; grandchildren, Travis Jessica Opsahl; Brad Tori Opsahl; Tiffany Saunders, Zane and Cole Saunders, Courtney Watts, Jordan, Jenna and Jacob Saunders, Marissa, Kaitlyn and Dylan Legg; Jessica, Jill, Jeff, Mike and Jack O'Halloran; great grandchildren, Alyssa, Brianna, Brayden and Kaysen; a brother, Darrell Bonnie Edson and a sister, Earleen Lloyd Sloan; nieces, Denise and Danette.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm till 7:00 pm, Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at the Kays-Ponger Funeral Home, 635 E. Marion Ave. Punta Gorda. The Funeral Mass will be Thursday, May 15th, at 2:00 pm at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Punta Gorda. Maureen will be interred at Royal Palm Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to Tidewell Hospice or the Sacred Heart Church Punta Gorda Building Fund.