SANDWICH — Grace L. Hartigan, 96, a resident of Sandwich, and formerly longtime of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 3.
Grace was born in Winthrop on Sept. 8, 1918, one of two daughters of the late Jasper I. and Helen V. (Burke) Downie. She was raised in Winthrop where she graduated from Winthrop High School. After getting married, she and her late husband settled in a home on Marvin Road in Melrose with an attached hairdressing studio. While raising her three children, Grace worked as a hairdresser from her home. Over her 20 years working, she enjoyed interacting with many of her clients who eventually became good friends.
As a female business owner in the 1950s, Grace possessed a strong entrepreneurial mind. She thought independently but held her convictions close to her heart. She was always willing to listen and respected everyone’s beliefs.
In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, talking politics and was a fabulous cook. Grace preferred simplicity, disliked surprises and lived a life of routine. She had a great sense of humor and enjoyed many moments of levity with her family. Grace remained a deeply devoted wife and mother throughout life. She cherished family time every week and loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandson.
She was the beloved wife of the late Alexander O. Hartigan with whom she shared 38 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of David O. Hartigan of Pittsburgh, Pa., Nancy L. Hartigan of Sandwich, and Arthur L. Hartigan and his wife Pauline of Melrose. She was the dear sister of the late Ethel Curtis. She was the cherished grandmother of Michael, Jonathan, Katy, Ryan, Patrick and Brett Hartigan, and John Anthony, Ryan and Jamie Foley. She was the loving great-grandmother of Tristan Hartigan. Caring aunt of Christine Rubinas of Florida and William Curtis of Virginia.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Grace’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Thursday, March 5, from 4 to 8 p.m. and again on Friday before leaving in procession to Church of the Incarnation, 425 Upham St., Melrose for her funeral Mass celebrated at 10 a.m.
Interment in Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose.
Gifts in memory of Grace may be made to Calvary Chapel Cape Cod, 10 Jan Sebastian Dr., Sandwich MA 02563.
For online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
