Jean Halligan

In August of 1953, Jean Elizabeth Halligan's family moved from Mankato, Minnesota to the Groveland Park - Nativity Parish neighborhood of St. Paul. Jean was born on February 13th 1955, four months after the death of her father, James V. Halligan. She attended elementary school at Nativity and High School at Derham Hall in St. Paul. In August of 1972, before her senior year at Derham Hall, Jean's Mother, Catherine H. Halligan married William B. Randall. Jean graduated from Derham Hall in 1973 and enrolled at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she gained her Bachelor of Arts degree in History. She then worked for a period of time at the Minnesota Historical society. Jean became interested in the education of special needs children and began working at Bridgeview School in St. Paul, a facility dedicated exclusively to the education of children with disabilities. She then attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul where she was granted her Master of Arts degree in Special Education. With the exception of one year of employment at East Consolidated School in St. Paul, her career was as a full-time teacher at Bridgeview School. Mid-career, Jean received further post-graduate certification in English as a Second Language from Hamline University. Jean was married to Jeff Hayes of Stillwater on June 21st 1986, their son Will was born August 6th 1987. On September 3rd 2010, Jean was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and at that time, retired from her teaching position at Bridgeview. She survived for nearly 34 months due to her remarkable spirit and the fine care she received from Dr. Corey and her staff at the Lakeview Oncology department in Stillwater. Jean died peacefully at home in the loving care of family and friends on June 18th 2013. Jean was predeceased in death by her father James V. Halligan, her mother Catherine H. Randall and her stepfather William B. Randall. She is survived by her husband Jeff Hayes of Stillwater, her son Will Hayes of Minneapolis, Sue Halligan of Woodbury, Marney Halligan of St. Paul, Joe Halligan of Stillwater, John Halligan of St. Paul, Nancy Dana of St. Paul and Suzy McClear of Sitka, Alaska. There will be a public gathering in her honor at the Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd. in Stillwater, Minnesota on Saturday, July 13th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Mass will be offered for Jean at 5p.m. on Friday, August 2nd at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, Stanford and Prior Avenues, St. Paul, Minnesota. Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society.