Shirley B. Hannigan, age 93, of Merchantville, NJ passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 13, 2024.  Born in Glen Rock, NJ to the late Ray V. Beshgetoor and Adelaide (nee Ballou), she spent 10 years of her early childhood in Argentina while her father served as Director General of RCA SA, prior to the family moving to Merchantville in 1941.  Shirley graduated from Merchantville School in 1948 where she met her future husband, John (Jack) Hannigan.  She then earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics from Drexel University where she majored in fashion and was active in the Tri Sigma sorority.  Many of her sorority sisters would become some of her closest friends for the next six decades.  After college and early motherhood years, she returned to Merchantville School where she became a beloved elementary school teacher of home economics and family life.  She was active with the Merchantville Women’s Club and the American Association of University Women.  Upon retirement, Shirley moved on to a second career as a travel agent.  Her knowledge and love of travel would serve her well as she and Jack would then travel through most of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and much of the Carribean.  In her later years, she even managed to once again visit her beloved Argentina to explore the cherished memories of her youth.  Throughout, she relished her role as mother to three sons, grandmom / mom-mom to her grandchildren, and aunt to nieces, nephews, and their children. 

Wife of the late John Hannigan, who passed in 2008, she is survived by her sons, Bryan Hannigan & his wife, Kay of Mickleton NJ, Bevan Hannigan of Merchantville, and Blair Hannigan & his wife, Deborah of Woolwich Twp., four grandchildren, Laurel & Aidan Hannigan, and Kimberly Petrallia & Joshua Ders, and two great grandchildren, Elliot & Jayden.  Shirley was predeceased by her grandson, Kyle Hannigan, her brother, Andrew Beshgetoor & his wife, Lois, and her sister, Eleanor DiLuigi, and earlier spouses Jack Ramsay and Al DiLuigi.  

A memorial service will be held on May 4^th at Trinity United Methodist Church, 284 Cedar Road, Mullica Hill, NJ beginning at 11 am.  Memories and condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.