OBITUARY Lily Gatzke Carrigan October 25, 1927 – January 6, 2019 Lily Olga Gatzke Carrigan, passed away on Sunday, the 6th of January. She was born on the 25th of October 1927, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the third child of seven. Her father was the founding minister of First Lutheran Church.
Mom was a member of different church denominations during her life and she loved St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, her final church home. However, she was and always would be a Lutheran at heart. Mom graduated from Louisiana State University with a BBA and a Masters in Business Letters.
During her time at LSU, Mom joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority, paying the dues herself, so she could meet other women and enjoy their fellowship. Always one to see a diamond in the rough, Mom chose Ralph Carrigan to be her mate. They married on Friday, the 13th of October 1951 (yes, Friday the 13th).
Dad became a partner at Baker & Botts, a respected trial lawyer and President of the Houston Bar Association. At Mom’s urging, she and Dad moved to Williamsburg Lane in the “boonies” of Bunker Hill Village in 1963. The Williamsburg neighborhood provided a nurturing community and lifelong friendships for our parents and for us.
While Dad pursued his legal career, Mom was the Carrigan family glue. She oversaw our school work, encouraged involvement in church and Young Life, supported us in our activities and exposed us to travel and culture. Mom helped us find universities and majors that suited us.
Whenever we needed her, Mom was there and willing to fight for us if necessary. We loved her fierce loyalty. Mom was active in community and social events.
Bunker Hill Village honored Mom and Dad for their efforts to stop a national developer from building multi-level housing units in the Village. Mom was involved at Holly Hall, Houston’s first retirement community. She served as a member and President of the Board of Directors.
She remained active with the Alpha Chi Omega Alumni organization. Mom enjoyed participation in the Blue Bird Circle and, with Dad, supported Amigos de las America. Mom appreciated her book, investment, tennis, travel and bridge groups and the wonderful friendships that these groups fostered.
In 2001, Mom and Dad moved to the 13th (yes, 13th) floor at the Villa D’Este. After Dad’s death in 2003, Mom remained passionate about her family, devoting much of her time and effort to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and their friends. She appreciated and celebrated each of us.
On the 27th of December 2018, after fighting cancer courageously for nine months, Mom chose hospice care and began her walk to Glory. Once she made up her mind, Mom always acted purposefully. When she was ready to move on to Heaven, she did so accordingly and at a quick pace that surprised us all.
After 91 years of a wonderful life, we know Mom has received the, “Well done good and faithful servant”, from our Lord and joins Dad, her parents, her brothers and many other family and friends in Heaven. Mom is preceded in death by our Dad, Ralph Carrigan, her father, Gustav Gatzke, her mother, Myrtle Lavigne Gatzke, her brothers, Gus Gatzke and Lavigne Gatzke and her beloved nephew, Dr. Edward Martin. Mom leaves behind her three children, Gay Reeves, Steve Carrigan and Mark Carrigan; their spouses, Keith Reeves and Catherine Stewart Carrigan (Steve); her grandchildren and their spouses, Camille Reeves, Craig Reeves (Cyndi), Lauren Allen (Adam) Leslie Simmons (Charles) Amy Robinson (Gentry) Meg Carrigan, Connor Carrigan (Sarah David) and Campbell Carrigan; her great grandchildren, Colton Reeves, Lily Allen, Mary Emma Allen, Landon Allen, Miles Allen, Carter Simmons, Brynne Simmons, Clare Robinson, Hunt Robinson and, coming in June, Micah Carrigan.
Mom also is survived by her sisters and their spouses, Dorothy Martin, Sally Bark, Gay Jordan (Larry) and Gladys Taylor (Jim) and many nieces and nephews whom she adored. Mom most often expressed gratitude about her wonderful life. Likewise, we are so grateful for the love and support shown to our Mom and to us.
The concierges and valets at the Villa D’Este took care of our Mom as if she were their own. We are thankful to Gladys Torres who faithfully and lovingly cared for Mom & her condominium for 19 years. Norma DeLeon, Beverley Simon and Jean Sylvester provided extraordinary care, friendship, compassion and understanding to Mom throughout this journey and were with her when she died.
Anna Dimalanta PT provided encouragement, friendship and therapy as she recovered from surgery . We want to thank the following Methodist Hospital physicians and staff for their exemplary treatment of our Mom: Dr. Stuart Dobbs, Dr. Michael Klebuc, Dr. Karla Kurrelmeyer, Dr. Dan Lehane, Dr. Rex Marco, Jerry Buchert PA, Dr. Monish Singh, Dr. Bin Teh, and Marie Weldman NP. We want to thank the entire Radiation Oncology Department with special thanks to Gretchen Russell, Jackie Jolly, Reema Nichols and Michael Moore.
The nursing staffs on Jones 9 and West Pavillion 8 were excellent. Each Houston Methodist employee that we met was proud of and exemplified the hospital’s I-CARE values. We also thank Dr. John Paulsel and Terry Herdlicka RN of Medical Clinic of Houston who were Mom’s primary physician and nurse.
Dr. Suzanne Lasek-Nesselquist, a hospitalist with Medical Clinic of Houston, treated Mom during each hospitalization providing amazing counsel and care. We thank Angela Hall with Houston Hospice and crisis nurses Mae Nelson and Starlklyn Inmon who helped Mom transition. With a life as long, full and fulfilling as Mom’s, it is impossible to recognize all of the people who made her life so joyous and her passing so peaceful.
To the extent that we left anyone out, forgive us; we know Mom wouldn’t. Just as with Dad, we will miss Mom greatly. We love you Mom and can’t imagine life without you.
A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 14th of January, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Bagby Hall. The family will have gathered for a private interment at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston.
For those desiring to do so, memorial contributions may be sent to the Hope and Healing Center at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, Houston, Texas, 77056 or to the charity of your choice.
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