Dolores Galligan
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dolores Galligan, age 94, of Cave Creek, Arizona who died peacefully on June 1, 2025. Dolores was born on November 30, 1930, and lived a rich and full life. Dolores was known for her fierce determination, courage in adversity, and unwavering devotion and love for her family and friends. Dolores married James Galligan in 1953, and they relocated first to New Jersey, then to Arizona and raised six children together.
Dolores was born in New York City where she attended St. Luke’s School and Cathedral High School. After graduating high school, Dolores put herself through nursing school and practiced as a caring and dedicated nurse into her 70’s. She returned to her education in the 1980’s and earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Nursing from Arizona State University. Dolores graduated with high honors and was deservedly very proud of her educational achievements. Dolores was well-regarded in her field, and had a successful nursing career, culminating in her role as the head oncology nurse for the bone marrow transplant unit at what was then Scottsdale North hospital.
She was a devout and faithful Catholic throughout her life. When she retired, she continued to work as hard as ever as a volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul, the Foothills Food Bank, and St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church.
Her legacy of faith, determination, perseverance, and generosity will endure forever in the hearts of her family and friends.
Dolores was preceded in death by her parents, William and Susan Montague, her brother William Montague, Jr., her sister Susan Donnelly, her husband, James Galligan, and her son John Galligan. Dolores is survived by her sister Patricia Pell, her children, James Galligan and his wife, Carla, Brian Galligan, Maura Eidman and her husband Craig, Bill Galligan, Megan Sonnen and her husband Ken, daughter-in-law Rita Galligan, grandchildren Jim, John, Erin, Jillian, Andrew, Will, Tyler, Zoe, and Colin and great-grandchildren Jackson, Lucy, John, Jax, Riley, Ellie, Owen, Emma, Cooper and Ava and many dear relatives and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a vigil and rosary on Friday June 13, 2025, at 4:00 pm at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary 8555 East Pinnacle Peak Road in Scottsdale and her Funeral Mass on Saturday June 14, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church 32648 N Cave Creek Road in Cave Creek. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Foothills Food Bank & Resource Center 6038 East Hidden Valley Dr, Cave Creek, AZ 85331.