Eleanor jean Gilligan was born to James and Johanna Fearon on March 27, 1928 in Wheeling, West Virginia.

Jean was a member of the Sisters of St. Josephs of Wheeling for many years serving as a grade school teacher and principal during that time.

In 1968, she moved to Glen Burnie and was employed by NSA for twenty five years.  She was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and was a longtime volunteer as a member of the North Arundel hospital Auxillary.   Several years ago, she moved to Virginia to be closer to her niece and nephew, Linda and Bill Gilligan.

In 1969 she married William J. Gilligan and he preceded her in death in 1994.  He was the last surviving of nine children.  She is survived by several nieces and nephews,  Linda and Bill Gilligan, Leslie Skurka,  Terry Hivon, Patrick Hivon, and Suzanne Meadows and many great nieces and nephews as well as cousins in Ireland.