Obituary of Maureen Goggin

Maureen Goggin, a woman who thrived on being surrounded by family and friends, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday night, February 17, 2019.  She was 81 years old.  Maureen was born in County Mayo, Ireland.  She was one of 9 children born to John and Katie McDonnell.  She grew up in the small town of Manulla on the West Coast of Ireland.  At the age of 19, she immigrated to the United States looking for more opportunities and work.  She was the first in her family to leave Ireland, and she was later followed by four other siblings. 

She met Vincent at a dance in Brighton. The couple was married in 1959 and made their home in Watertown and Belmont before settling in Burlington in 1966.  She worked as a purchasing agent for a number of companies over the years with Xylogics being her most notable position.  She was a longtime member of the Billerica Irish American Club where she was active in the socials, served on the Board of Directors, and even bartended when they were in a pinch.  She loved her new home in America, but a part of her heart still remained in Ireland. 

Maureen was a woman devoted to her family, extended family, and friends. Their family grew with their 3 children and their spouses, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. She would have celebrated her 60^th wedding anniversary this April. Maureen ran the home, kept the family close, and welcomed everyone that came through her front door.  When her children were young, there were cross country road trips and camping in North Conway.  They saved enough to buy a chalet in Moultonborough , NH on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee in 1985.  A house followed on Long Island and finally a home in Meredith in the Patrician Shores Community.   She wanted to keep her family close, so everyone was welcomed to their Lake home (siblings, nieces, nephews, friends, children’s friends, and grandchildren’s friends).  The record for number of overnight guests was 30!  She loved seeing her family enjoying each other’s company and creating lasting memories filled with laughter and love.  There was swimming, boating, sunbathing on the beach, camp fires, lots of excitement, food, a bit of chaos and fun.  Maureen also enjoyed the quieter time spent on the porch overlooking the lake as well.  She enjoyed traveling and over the years had visited Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, Spain among other places, and of course Ireland to visit with her family and childhood friends.  She enjoyed winters in Naples Florida for 8 years after they retired.  It was quite the compliment to say “she was a great mother and also a great friend to her children”.  She had a special bond with her grandchildren who affectionately called her “Mamo”. They will never forget their fun and loving grandmother who fostered a strong bond with their cousins as well as creating endless childhood memories spent at her home in Burlington and on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.

Maureen was the beloved wife of Vincent Goggin. She was the loving and caring mother of Vinny & his wife Marie of Nashua, NH, Melinda Sullivan & her husband John of Burlington, and Kevin & his wife Jane of Billerica.  She was the proud Mamo of Danny, Joey, Brian & Corey Goggin, Danny Sullivan, and the late Renee Goggin. Great grandmother of Owen & Caleb Goggin.  Sister of Margaret Blondin of Syracuse, NY, Marcella McCafferty of Norwood and the late Michael, Sean, Richie, Kathleen, Billy, and Myles McDonnell. A visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Saturday, Feb 23 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 12 p.m.  Interment to follow in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Maureen’s name may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241 (www.heart.org) or the Renee Marie Goggin Scholarship Fund, 6 Tacoma Circle, Nashua NH 03062. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.stmargaretburlington.org