Maureen Gilligan passed peacefully on May 30th, 2024 at Princeton Hospital after courageously battling cardiac disease for over two decades. Her husband, Robert Oberholtzer, and children, Hugh and Cathleen Oberholtzer, survive her. They, and Hugh's partner Crystal Socha, had the honor of surrounding her with love and comfort during the last hours of her life. She is also survived by her surrogate sister, Marguerite Dawson, and many others she considered family, including Robert Karlin and his daughters Sarah and Elizabeth, Carol Liantonio, Phillip Rosen, the Wise family, the extended Meagher family, and many more. Maureen was predeceased by people she cherished, including her mother Charlotte Kelly Gilligan, her father Hugh Gilligan, and chosen family, including Laura Nass-Rosen and Denise Del Sindaco.

Maureen was born January 26th, 1950 in Brooklyn, New York. As a first generation American, she took great pride in her Scott-Irish heritage, making sure her family stayed close to their culture and celebrated their roots. She also celebrated the different heritages of her many and varied friends. Maureen was close to her Roman Catholic faith, attending Catholic school most of her young life and later teaching Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) to Catholic children. In times of illness she was known to say, "I'm praying my rosary" and had a deep connection to the Blessed Mother. No matter one's beliefs or background, her door was always open with loving acceptance.

Maureen was the first in her family to attend college, receiving a Bachelor's degree from Hunter College, a Master's degree from New York University, and completed postgraduate course work at Rutgers University. She taught courses in healthcare at both Rutgers and Temple University.

Maureen devoted her career to the field of nursing and being of service to those in need. Over five decades she specialized in home healthcare, caring for the terminally ill on hospice, and medical regulatory compliance. Later in her sterling career, she was a Joint Commission Surveyor and held regional and national leadership positions in healthcare compliance where she was able to have a larger impact on the quality and integrity of patient care. Through her hard work, career excellence, and education she brought her family out of poverty.

Maureen was known for her passion, incredible lexicon, and her larger than life personality. Maureen enjoyed traveling and was proud to say she had been to almost every state in America and many countries abroad; she would always have a history lesson related to places she visited. Some of her most cherished memories were long days on the beach or by the pool in Deerfield Beach, Florida with her family. She loved the arts and frequently took trips to see concerts, Broadway plays, or to museums. Maureen was an avid reader who loved the power of words and the magic of storytelling. Those who knew Maureen can testify to her charm and ability to bring warmth and humor to any room.

Though she will be missed deeply, Maureen was a font of wisdom that our hearts will continue to draw from. Her intellect, warm hugs, sharp humor, infectious laugh, bright eyes, and smile will never be forgotten. Just as she would want, Maureen will be kept alive through celebration, memories, and the stories she imparted with us. She instilled in us the values of education, faith, resilience, family, hard work, and service to others. We will continue to carry on her "Claddagh" tradition of friendship, loyalty, and love. May she rest in peace.

Visiting hours are Thursday, June 6, 2024 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the funeral home.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 10:00AM in St. Paul Parish, 218 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ.