Obituary of Helen G. Donigan

Helen G. Donigan formerly of 316 N. 12th Street Olean, passed away Friday February 18, 2011 in the Franciscan Care Center in Hockessin Delaware. Mrs. Donigan was born on July 21, 1931 in Olean and was a daughter of William and Margaret Petty Gardiner. She married her husband of 49 years Gerald P. Donigan, who pre-deceased her on Aug. 11, 1990. Mrs. Donigan was a graduate of Olean High School. She worked for Catholic Charities for a period of time until she began raising her children. Mrs. Donigan began working at St. Francis Hospital in 1971 and retired 20 years later in 1991 from Olean General Hospital as a Ward Secretary. She moved to Downingtown, Pa. in 2006 to be with her daughter. Mrs. Donigan was a member of St. Mary of the Angels Church and a former member their Altar Society. She was a current member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Mrs. Donigan enjoyed working in her flower garden and around her yard. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles and traveling, but most of all she loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them and especially her grand children. Surviving Mrs. Donigan are two daughters, Peggy A. (Robert) Benjamin of Olean, and Debra J. (Robert) Kent of Downingtown, PA; two grandchildren, Robert A. (Sara) Benjamin, Jr. of Olean, and Paula J. (Jason) Morgan of Olean; three great grandchildren, Lexi K. Benjamin, Jared A. Morgan and Megan J. Morgan; and many nieces and nephews. Mrs. Donigan was pre-deceased by a brother Francis Gardiner in Sept. of 1998. Friends will be received Tuesday Feb. 22, 2011 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00 pm at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #646 E. State Street, Olean. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 beginning with a prayer service in the Funeral Home at 9:30 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 at St. Mary of the Angels Church. The Rev. Gregory J. Dobson, Pastor, will celebrate. Burial will be in the St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany, NY. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Western New York 2805 Wehrle Dr # 6 Buffalo, NY 14221-7383.