Colleen June Gilligan

Colleen June Gilligan, of Maynard, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2025, at Emerson Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family. She was sixty years old, and in those sixty years, she gave more joy, laughter, and light than can ever be measured.

Born in Waltham to Dorothy (Savage) Gilligan and the late Robert Gilligan, Colleen grew up in Maynard, where she quickly became known for her warmth and spirited personality. She attended Maynard schools before joining the Occupational Development Program at Acton-Boxborough High School. Through this program, she forged friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Colleen worked for many years with C-MARC and NuPath in Woburn. She especially loved her time in the kitchen there, where she was in her element-busy, social, and proud of her contributions. Her life was filled with activity and connection: she swam and competed in The Special Olympics, danced and sang to music whenever she could, and never missed a chance to make others laugh with her quick wit and genuine delight in the moment.

At the heart of Colleen's world was her family. She loved them with every fiber of her being, and in return, they cherished her unwavering loyalty, humor, and affection. To know Colleen was to understand what it means to be fully present with another person-she had a way of making those around her feel seen and loved.

She is survived by her devoted mother, Dorothy Gilligan of Maynard; her "fiancé" Kenneth Defronzo of Reading; her sisters, Robin Gilligan and her partner Dave Steigerwald of Sarasota, FL, and Kelly Bandini and her husband Brian of Stow; her nieces and nephews, Katelyn Kapsimalis, Kerri Meisenhelder, Isabel, and Addison Bandini; and her great-nieces and nephews, Lucas, Amelia, Melanie, and Landon, who brought her endless joy. Colleen was predeceased by her beloved father, Robert, in 2011.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 12th from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Avenue, Acton. A funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, September 13th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bridget's Church, 1 Percival Street, Maynard, with burial at Glenwood Cemetery.

In keeping with Colleen's spirit of giving, memorial contributions may be made to:

Minuteman Arc

or

American Cancer Society - Relay For Life