Gene A. Monaghan

Gene A. Monaghan LATHAM – Gene A. (Degen) Monaghan, 79, entered into eternal life on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. Gene was the loving daughter and only child of John and Mary Shea Degen and was born in Troy on November 5, 1935. She was raised and educated in Troy, graduating from St. Patrick’s Grammar School in 1949 and Catholic Central High School in 1953. Gene furthered her education at St. Peter’s School of Nursing in Albany and in 1956 earned her degree in nursing and became a registered nurse. She was employed as an operating room nurse at St. Peter’s Hospital for a number of years before leaving her career to become a mother and to raise her family. Gene was married in 1961 to her beloved husband, Joseph F. Monaghan, at St. Peter’s Church in Troy and together they enjoyed more than 53 years of marriage. A loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, Gene enjoyed the times she spent with her family and received special joy and pride from attending her grandchildren’s activities and events. She loved traveling, reading and a good round of golf, especially with her friends in the Tuesday league at Mill Road Acres. Gene was the consummate hostess and enjoyed entertaining family and friends in her home. She did so as recently as this past Christmas. While residing in Watervliet, Gene volunteered at the Watervliet Public Library and was a parishioner of the former Sacred Heart of Mary Church where she was a member of the Rosary Society. In recent years, following her move to Latham, she attended Our Lady of the Assumption Church. The family wishes to gratefully acknowledge the care and guidance offered by Stephanie O’Leary, PA of the Pulmonary & Critical Care Services group in Albany and the prayers and support offered by Reverend Geoffrey D. Burke and the Reverend John F. Tallman. In addition to her beloved husband Joseph, Gene is survived by her loving children, Joanne M. (Joe) Rourke of Ballston Lake, Patricia A. (Gil) Chase of Gansevoort, Joseph P. Monaghan of Clifton Park and Erin M. (Tom) Huerter of Clifton Park; her cherished grandchildren, Cecelia and Hayley Chase, Thomas, Kevin, Meghan and Jillian Huerter and Matthew Rourke; her brother-in-law, Peter A. (Janice) Monaghan of Latham and her cousin by marriage, Sr. Lucille Theroux, CSJ of Latham. She was the devoted daughter-in-law of the late Peter J. Monaghan and Evelyn J. Monaghan. The funeral will be held on Thursday at 9:15 AM from the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway in Watervliet and at 10 AM in Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Latham, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Reverend Geoffrey D. Burke, pastor and the Reverend John F. Tallman, Chaplain of St. Peter’s Hospital. Interment will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Watervliet. Friends are invited to attend and may also visit with Gene’s family on Wednesday from 4 until 7 PM at the funeral home. To those wishing to remember Gene in a special way, by making a donation to a charity, her family suggests St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 319 South Manning Blvd., Suite 114, Albany, NY 12208 or Catholic Central High School, 625 Seventh Avenue, Troy, NY 12182 in her memory. Please visit www.parkerbrosmemorial.com to light a candle, leave a message of sympathy and for directions.