Alice L. Mulligan

Former Newtown Librarian

Alice L. Mulligan, 85, of Salisbury, formerly of Fairfield, Newtown, and the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, died July 27 in Noble Horizons Village. Born in Bridgeport, she was the daughter of Patrick and Agnes McHale Mulligan, and dear sister to the late Edward Mulligan, Sr.

A loving, witty aunt, and the family historian, Ms Mulligan’s memory will be cherished by her nieces and nephews, Eileen Mulligan of Salisbury, Margaret Mary Mulligan of New Mexico, Joseph Mulligan of Salisbury, Christine Firella of Fairfield, Catherine Trichka of Bridgeport, and Edward Mulligan, Jr, of Bridgeport; six grandnieces and grandnephews; and one great-grandniece.

Ms Mulligan graduated from Danbury Teachers College and continued her education, receiving her master’s from Yale University, and the Sixth Year Teachers Certificate from Fairfield University. Her career as an elementary school teacher for the Fairfield school system began in 1944 and continued until her retirement in 1979. During that time, she taught in the McKinley, Lincoln, North Stratfield, and Mill Hill schools, as well as one year abroad, where she taught children of military personnel based in France. For several years, she served as a librarian in Newtown.

A devout Catholic, Ms Mulligan was a daily Communicant, and practiced her faith by helping others at the Thomas Merton House, and volunteering at the St John Fisher Seminary.

She was proud to be a 38-year member of Alpha Kappa State-Kappa Chapter DKC. A woman of diverse interests, she enjoyed reading, visiting Tanglewood for performances, and was an annual ticket holder of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She traveled extensively, and was fond of summer visits to Saratoga Springs.

Funeral services were July 31 in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home in Fairfield Center and in St Thomas Church. Burial followed in St Michael’s Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Thomas Merton House, 43 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport CT 06604.

The Newtown Bee        August 1, 2008