Marie “Gaetane” Hourigan, 81 years of age, passed peacefully with her family at her side on January 22, 2019 at Raybrook Manor, Grand Rapids MI from complications following hip surgery coupled with Lewy Body Dementia & Parkinson’s.
Gae as she was fondly called was born July 7th 1937 in the town of La Pocatiere, Quebec Canada to the late Lorenzo & Laura Richard ( née LaFrance). She was the only girl of 7 children.
Gae Richard was raised and educated in the small mining town of Val D’or, Quebec, CA. She soon met and married her husband Larry Hourigan while he was serving in the US Airforce stationed in Canada in 1965 - 66. They were married in Val D’or on June 18th, 1966. Afterwards they moved to Larry's hometown of Wilkes Barre, Pa. where he returned to civilian life and they had 3 daughters. Gae worked as a dedicated mother and homemaker for many years where she was involved in many clubs and organizations. Gae & Larry also lived in Williamsville and then Ithaca, NY. She was an amazing woman who was self-taught and took classes to help her run the financial side of the family business, Underwood Lighting, from 1988 - 1995. In 1995 they moved permanently to Naples Florida. There, Gae continued in the accounting field at the Fifth Third Bank for many years, before retiring in 2003.
Gaetane accomplished many things in her lifetime, but we can honestly say that she cared greatly for every soul on earth. She made sure everyone around her felt happy and loved. We know her true calling in life was always to be a mother and she was that, a mother to many. Gae always supported everyone thru good times and bad. Her laughter in the room was contagious. She truly was a blessing on earth. She will be deeply missed by many, but never forgotten. Her duty on Earth is done. She is now with all those who left before her as they welcome her into God's home.
Gae was proceeded in death by her three brothers, Claude, Jean, Paul, her sister-in-law Yvonne, and her son-in-law, Tim Eber. Gae leaves behind many to cherish her loving memory, especially her husband Larry, children Patricia Geier (Dennis), Michelle Nolan (Tom) & Kimberly Eber, (significant other, Brian); also her brothers and their wives, Gastone (Gisele), Harvey (Louise) Emilien (Louise) and sisters-in-law Therese and Paulette. In addition, her 14 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.
A memorial Service will be held in Gae’s honor (all welcome):
Date: February 22, 2019
Time: 12:30pm
Location:
St. Paul the Cross Church,
320 S. Washington Ave. Park Ridge,
Illinois 60068.
Open House to follow immediately at the Geier Residence (all welcome)
DONATIONS
Lewy Body Dementia Association912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, Georgia
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