Cover photo for Marcella (Binkert)  Kerrigan's Obituary
1927 Marcella 2016

Marcella (Binkert) Kerrigan

March 20, 1927 — August 13, 2016

Marcella (Binkert) Kerrigan passed away on August 13, 2016. She was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Albuquerque, NM to Milton Anton and Caroline (Hockseider) Binkert on March 20, 1927. She attended and graduated from St. Mary's School. She had many friends growing up in Albuquerque and lived in a time when life was difficult, but good. Neighbors and friends were close and took care of each other. Marcella loved to roller skate and she and her friends went to Roller Dome Skating Rink frequently.
After Marcella graduated from high school she became a long distance operator at Mountain Bell. She met her future husband, John Patrick Kerrigan while he was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base during World War II. He and Marcella married on June 18, 1945. They moved to Ft. Benning, GA when John was transferred there to be trained as a paratrooper. When he left to enter the war effort, Marcella returned to Albuquerque. After the war ended, Marcella and John moved to Scranton, PA where John grew up. Their daughter, Carol Ann, was born there. Because John had contracted malaria while serving in the Philippines during the war, he was unable to live in PA because of the climate. They therefore returned to Albuquerque.
They lived in a one bedroom apartment at 6th and Fruit and Mary Theresa and Patrick Milton were born to them while they lived there. They purchased a home at 6th and Granite where John Joseph was born and lived there until 1957. At that time they moved to the NE Heights and purchased a new three bedroom home. Daniel was born to them at this home. Marcella's father stated that they were moving to the mountains where there was only mesa and lizards. At the time, Indian School Road was a dirt arroyo.
Marcella and John's lives were full and complete and they were busy raising five children with the attendant school homework, school functions, sports, vacations, etc. Life was wonderful at this time! Their children eventually all graduated from high school and Carol and Mary got married and started their own families.
In 1969, John was diagnosed with lung cancer and passed away in 1970. Marcella had three sons at home at the time. Marcella's faith in God got her through the following years and eventually all her children married. Over the years, there were many happy times with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Marcella had a resolute spirit and determined to live each day God gave her with grace, love and laughter. She spent many happy hours gardening in her beautiful yard with her best friend and pet, Cleo, by her side.
Marcella retired from the NM Motor Vehicle Department after 25 years of public service.
Marcella is survived by her sister, Helen Weil; daughter, Carol (Kerrigan) O'Brien and husband, Larry; sons, Patrick Kerrigan and wife Elayne; John Kerrigan and wife Tifanie; Daniel Kerrigan and wife Michelle; and "adopted" son, Bok Sowell. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Laura Kilby, Craig Kerrigan, Sean, Aaron, and Heather O'Brien, Melissa, Joshua, and Mary Jo Kerrigan, Kasey Gallegos, Misty Allen and Cole Kerrigan; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her brother, Donald Binkert; daughter, Mary Theresa; and grandsons, Patrick Kerrigan and Landon Allen. Special thanks to friend and neighbor David Benyak who kept watch over Mom and her home; caregivers Mary, Mary Ann and Theresa who helped care for her during her illness. The family is grateful to Davery and Raylena of Legacy Hospice who so lovingly took care of Mom during her illness.
Mass will be celebrated Monday, August 22, 2016, 8:30 a.m., at Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish, 2621 Vermont St. NE. Interment will take place at Monday, August 22, 2016, 2:15 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery.



FRENCH - Wyoming
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
(505) 823-9400

Service Details

Monday, August 22nd, 2016, 8:30am, Our Lady of Annunciation Catholic Church

Interment Details

Santa Fe National Cemetery

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