Winifred Harragan – March 29

Winifred DeNunzio Harragan, a longtime resident of Pelham, New York and member of the Town Board from 1977-1983, died peacefully on March 29, 2020 after a short illness. She was 84.

The second child of Frank and M. Winifred DeNunzio, Mrs. Harragan, who was known as Winnie, was born in Bronxville and grew up in Scarsdale. After graduating from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania, she worked for the New York Life Insurance Company.

In 1960 she married James K. Harragan, an advertising executive, who predeceases her. The couple moved to Brooklyn Heights, where Mrs. Harragan joined the Junior League, organizing fundraisers and serving on the Board.

In 1968, the Harragans moved to Pelham and later Pelham Manor, where they raised their daughter Sue. Mrs. Harragan continued her community volunteering, joining the Pelham Junior League, PTA, Girl Scouts and other groups while also working part-time. She was elected to the Pelham Town Board in 1977, retiring in 1983.

During the mid-1980s, Mrs. Harragan ran fundraisers and headed up the Mothers’ Club at her daughter’s high school, the School of the Holy Child, in Rye. In later years Mrs. Harragan was Treasurer of the Boutique at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and an active member of the Rosary Altar Society.

She was devoted to her Church, her family and her community, each of which gave her profound joy.

Mrs. Harragan is survived by her daughter Sue Harragan Demarest, a realtor in Manhattan Beach, Calif., and co-owner of the restaurant Fletcher’s in Park City, Utah; brother Ralph D. DeNunzio of Riverside, Conn.; and three nephews, David (Jocelyn) DeNunzio, Peter DeNunzio and Thomas (Suzanne) DeNunzio. Mrs. Harragan is also survived by her son-in-law Steve Demarest and step-grandsons Trace and Ryan Demarest.

A celebration of Winifred’s life will be held at a later date. For more information or to leave a condolence please visit pelhamfuneral.com.

Editor’s note. This obituary was provided by the Pelham Funeral Home.