Maureen Carragher

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of employee Maureen E. Carragher at home, peacefully with her family by her side, after a courageous battle with cancer on June 7. She was 62. 

Maureen grew up in Weymouth, MA, and Pembroke, NH, and has spent the last 45 years in Falmouth. Maureen was a graduate of Pembroke Academy, in Pembroke, NH.  She went on to attend Hessser Business College in New Hampshire, and completed courses at Cape Cod Community College and UMASS Dartmouth.

Maureen began her career at WHOI in 1981 as a secretary in the Geology and Geophysics Department. In 1997 she transferred to the MBLWHOI Library as an Information Systems Associate and, in 2001, transferred to the Physical Oceanography Department where she was employed until her death.

“Maureen was always busy ‘doing’ for others.  She was beautiful inside and out,” said her supervisor, Maryanne Wray. “I’ll always remember her charging around the corner of Clark 3 in the mornings – full of energy, enthusiasm, and another grandchild story.  She loved her grandchildren with an unmatched passion.  A good friend and co-worker who will be missed for a long time to come.”

“Maureen’s family and friends were the most cherished part of her life, ” said co-worker Maryann Lucas.

Prior to her work at WHOI, Maureen worked as a secretary in Falmouth Public Schools and in the Pathology Department at the Falmouth Hospital for 10 years.

Maureen will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family, particularly her six grandchildren. She loved to exercise, garden, travel, bake bread, and had a special passion for decorative painting.

Besides her husband, Alan M. Carragher, to whom she was married for 42 years, Maureen is survived by her children: Kristen Cavossa of Falmouth and Brian Carragher of Braintree; grandchildren, Caitlin, Nicholas, Samuel and Mia Cavossa; Nolan and Andrew Carragher; siblings, Martin Hanley of Hopkington, Michael Hanley of Ledyard, CT, Marie Hanley of Centerville, Teresa Welch of West Barnstable, and Beth Hanley of Centerville. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 10, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 584 West Falmouth Highway, West Falmouth. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at St. Elizabeth Seton Church, 481 Quaker Rd., North Falmouth. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Gifford St., Falmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Maureen’s memory can be made to the VNA of Cape Cod Hospice, 434 Route 134, Suite G-1, South Dennis, MA 02660.