Mary Jane (M.J.) Gogan
June 27, 1929 - January 17, 2025
Obituary
Mary Jane (M.J.) Gogan, 95, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2025, in Madison, Wis.
Mary Jane was born on June 27, 1929, in Boston, Mass., to Marion Broderick Flynn and William Valentine Flynn. After graduating from Northboro High School in 1947, she pursued her education at Westbrook Junior College, in Westbrook, Maine, and Clark University in Worcester, Mass., earning a B.A. in Sociology in 1951. Afterward, she worked as a service representative for New England Telephone and Telegraph Company and many years later became a registered broker, serving as Vice President for an investment firm in Bedminster, N.J., where she lived and worked for 15 years.
In 1953, Mary Jane married George Lee Gogan Jr., and together they raised six children, making homes in Northboro and Sudbury, Mass., Atlanta, Ga., Metairie, La., and Maplewood, N.J. After her retirement, Mary Jane spent several years in Atlanta, Ga., where she shared a loving home with her daughter Jane, son-in-law Gordon, and grandson Sandon before moving with them to Madison, Wis., in 2005.
Mary Jane found joy and fulfillment in her lifelong passion for art. She joined and nourished artist communities with her generosity of spirit and shared love of creativity. She worked in various mediums, creating still life, portraits, collages, and landscapes. Her most recent works reflected her empathy for immigrant and displaced communities.
Mary Jane was also known for her annual hand-made Christmas cards, featuring one of her paintings, which became cherished collector’s items among her friends and family. In addition to her love of art, Mary Jane was an avid reader and NYT crossword solver. Upon moving to Madison, she joined Holy Wisdom Monastery, which became her spiritual home and community. She enjoyed tennis and golf in her younger years, and in her later years practiced yoga and Tai Chi. Known for her warmth, wit and grace, Mary Jane enriched the lives of all who knew her. She was well known and loved in the neighborhood and enjoyed many afternoons sitting in the sun and spending time with friends.
Mary Jane is survived by her children, Susan Gogan (Terry Plasket), Geoffrey Gogan, Jane Gogan (Gordon Hamnett), Sarah Gogan Gettinger and Andrew Gogan (Shelley Gogan); her brother, William V. Flynn; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was predeceased by her former husband, George Lee Gogan Jr.; her son, Michael A. Gogan; and her brothers, Peter B. Flynn and Richard F. Flynn.
The family is very appreciative of the care and support provided to our mother by her wonderful caregivers at Vista West. We also want to thank the staff at Agrace HospiceCare for their support and expertise during her final months.
A memorial service will be held at HOLY WISDOM MONASTERY, 4200 COUNTY ROAD M, Middleton, at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Jane’s honor to Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI 53562 (https://holywisdommonastery.org/support/donate-today/).
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
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