Obituary of Beth Colligan

Beth Colligan (née Murphy) of Madison, New Jersey passed away peacefully on January 12, 2023 after fighting cancer for two years.

Beth was the second daughter born to Grayce and Thomas Murphy on September 17, 1960. Beth and her three sisters grew up proud Jersey girls in Bayonne where they all attended Holy Family Academy.

Beth attended Trenton State College to pursue her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. She returned to her hometown to teach in the Bayonne Public School system for 34 years. Beth cared deeply about each of her students and consistently worked to bring new and meaningful experiences to her classroom. Her favorite thing to do with her students every year was raise and release Monarch Butterflies, a tradition she continued after retirement by planting a butterfly garden in her backyard.

In 1989, Beth married Gerald (Jerry) Colligan of Jersey City after dating for nine years. They demonstrated love and devotion in their marriage for over 30 years. For the entire time they were together Beth and Jerry were a fun-loving couple who traveled the world together, hosted game nights with their friends, and opened their home and their hearts to anyone who needed it.

Beth became a mother for the first time in 1993, and went on to have three kids total; Kasey, Patrick and Erin. She provided guidance, comfort, and safety to her kids that allowed them to be brave and adventurous. Beth encouraged her children to try new things and follow their passions.

Beth was an eternal peacekeeper, a pinnacle of strength, and the epitome of poise to everyone who knew her. She signed off every phone call to her husband and children with the phrase “be good” reminding them to live their lives with the patience and grace she exhibited every day.

Beth was predeceased by her parents, Grayce and Thomas Murphy. She is survived by her three sisters, Eileen Murphy, Maureen Harwood, and Peggy Murphy. She lives on in her three children, Kasey Colligan, Patrick Colligan, and Erin Colligan. She will be forever loved by her husband, Jerry Colligan.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the visitation on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 1:00PM to 7:00PM at the Madison Memorial Funeral Home, 159 Main Street, Madison.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Monday, January 16, 2023 at Corpus Christi Church, 234 Southern Boulevard, Chatham.

Cremation will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, Beth’s family requests donations be made in her memory to the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, 99 Beauvoir Ave, Summit, NJ 07901.