In Memoriam: Longtime New Lenox Woman's Greatest Joy Was Family, With 29 Grandkids, 44 Great-Grandkids

NEW LENOX, IL — A longtime New Lenox woman is being remembered for her legacy of deep faith, love and devotion to family.

Merle Helen Carrigan, 91, most recently of Lockport, was born March 13, 1935 and died May 28, according to an obituary provided by family. She and her family lived in New Lenox for more than 40 years before moving in 2000, family told Patch.

Carrigan was born in Vernal, Utah, to Charles and Frances Irma Roller, in a humble one-room log cabin—a beginning she carried with quiet pride throughout her life, family said.

She was a devoted Catholic whose faith guided her every day. She was deeply committed to the Right to Life organization and spent many years teaching CCD, sharing her beliefs and values with others. Her faith was not just something she practiced, it was something she lived, and after moving from New Lenox, she remained active in St. Jude Church for years, family said.

She was an extremely talented artist, bringing beauty into the lives of those around her through her creativity. She also had a love for sports and spent many years coaching baseball, touching many young lives with her encouragement and dedication.

In 1953, she married Joe R. Carrigan, who preceded her in death. Together they built a large and loving family that became the center of her world. Joe coached New Lenox Mustangs football teams and the New Lenox little league baseball team of the Orioles (fondly nicknamed “the yellow-bellied sap suckers”). He died in 2017 at 83 years old.

Carrigan was also preceded in death by her daughter Edna (Robert) Goins; her siblings John, Elsie, Faye, Lucille, and Isabelle; and her grandchildren Damian, Eric, William, and Renee.

She is survived by her children Marilyn of Lockport; Shanna of Lockport; Joe (Amy) of Longmont, Colorado; Vivian (James) of Lowell, Indiana; Janis (Les) of Harrisburg; Maureen of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Patrick (David) of Phoenix, Arizona; Christina (Edward) of St. Charles; Jennifer (Erin) of Sandwich, and Scott of Seneca; as well as her siblings Jean Brian of Bakersfield, California and Doris Wogec of Citrus Heights, California.

Carrigan was a proud grandmother to 29 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and numerous great-great-grandchildren—but to her, they were never just numbers, family said. Each one held a special place in her heart and was equally important in her life. Her family was her greatest joy, and she cherished each and every one of them.

She will also be remembered for the love she had for her beloved horse, Little Bill, who has since passed.

Merle will be remembered for her strength, her unwavering faith, her artistic spirit, her love of sports, and above all, her unconditional love for her family. She touched countless lives and leaves behind a legacy that will live on for generations.

A Catholic Mass will be held in her honor on July 2 at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 416 N Chicago St. in Joliet. Burial will take place immediately following the service.

All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend as we come together to celebrate her life, her faith, and the love she gave so freely.