Obituary of Delores Branigan

Delores H. "Del" Branigan, 85, of State College died Sunday, March 10, 2013 at the Fairways at Brookline. A daughter of the late Edward T. and Grace A. Hurley, Del was born April 6, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan. Del grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and was a 1948 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, Ohio, where she majored in English. On September 1, 1951, in Cleveland, she married John E. "Jack" Branigan, who predeceased her on January 13, 1995. Del and Jack moved to State College in 1959, where Del developed many long-lasting friendships over the years. Del had a reputation among family and friends as an excellent cook, even co-chairing the Council of Republican Women's "Football Weekend Cookery" publication in 1970. She was an avid reader, primarily of mystery novels, and was a master of crossword puzzles. Del also loved the regular bridge group activities with her close friends. She was a long-time member of Centre Hills Country Club and Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, State College. Del also volunteered for many years in the Gift Shop at Mount Nittany Medical Center. Del is survived by a son, David E. Branigan, and daughter-in-law, Maureen R. Branigan, of State College. Also surviving is a grandson, Sean D. Branigan, of Pittsburgh and a granddaughter, Tara E. Branigan, of Alexandria, Virginia. A memorial mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, March 18 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, with the Monsignor David Lockard officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service at Centre Hills Country Club. Private burial services will be at the Spring Creek Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Foundation for Mount Nittany Medical Center, 1800 E. Park Avenue, State College, PA 16803 (or foundation.mountnittany.org), and designated to the Jack E. Branigan Endowment Fund; or the Suzanne Pohland Paterno Renaissance Fund at The Pennsylvania State University, 27 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.