Barbara J Harrigan

Barbara Jesse (McManus) Harrigan, 89, died in the early hours of Sunday, August 24. She was born to John McManus and Nina (Tyler) McManus on November 18, 1924 in Bloomingdale, NY. After graduating high school Barbara trained as a registered nurse at the Champlain Valley Hospital and joined the staff there upon completion of her training. CVH also happened to be where she met her husband to be, Francis Ignatius Harrigan, a wounded veteran of the recent WWII. A gifted musician as well as a nurse, Barbara abandoned both pursuits when she married and became mother to nine offspring, and eventually starting a thriving ice cream business, initially as a Tastee Freez then as Harrigan's Soft Ice Cream. Late in life, Barbara returned to her love of singing and playing music, providing entertainment for and bringing joy to many of the North Country's elders in nursing homes, community centers and other venues. Barbara is survived by 8 of her nine children: Patrick, Gail, Thomas, Peter, Brian, Denis, Dean and Janis; their spouses: James Williams, Mike Lew, Beverly Adams, Tammy Brooks, Robin Trombley and Christopher Hawks; and her sisters Mary, Isabelle and Dorothy. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years Francis I. Harrigan, her sister Marjory, her daughter Karen and her second husband William Donnell. Additionally, Barbara is survived by her grandchildren: Jeffrey Williams, Todd Williams, Jennifer Rooney, Kristen Harrigan, Jessica Harrigan, Sean Harrigan, Meghan M. Manion-Combs, Caitlin E. Watts, Erik F. Dornbush, Michelle Stuckwisch, Corinne Powers, Brooke Reynolds, Ryan Harrigan, Justin Harrigan and Olivia Harrigan. Barbara also had the joy of having great grandchildren: Holden Williams, Connor Rooney, Katrina Harrigan, Audrey Harrigan, Jackson Harrigan, and Fynn and Camryn Powers. Busy in life, Barbara will be much missed in death. Rest in peace our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday August 27, 2014 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday August 28, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Alexander's Church in Morrisonville, entombment will follow at Whipering Maples Memorial Garden on Tom Miller Road in Plattsburgh. Arrangements are entrusted to Brown Funeral Home 29 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901 . 518-561-3980. Online condolences may be made at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.