Mary Eayre Carrigan, also known as Polly, 88, of Lebanon, PA, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Tuesday, March 2, 2026, at her home.
Born in Trenton, NJ, she was the beloved daughter of the late Edwin and Mary Eayre Stapler. A woman of faith, she was a member of Leola United Methodist Church. She graduated from Solanco High School, class of 1955, before attending nursing school at Abington Memorial Hospital. Her nursing career led her to work in multiple local nursing homes, and she spent many summers as a camp nurse at Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center.
Mary also directed a travel camp for adults with special needs for several years. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and using those abilities to serve several ministries, including Unto (formerly GAiN) and Project Linus, sending quilted blankets around the world to those in need. She was a long-time supporter of the Appalachia Service Project, a ministry of home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia. Friendship was important to Mary. For more than 70 years, she maintained a bond with her childhood Girl Scouts of America Troop.
Surviving are her children, Timothy Mark Carrigan, husband of Beth Ann, and Andrew Peter Carrigan, husband of Martha J.; 11 grandchildren; 15 grandchildren, with one on the way; and siblings, David, husband of Linda Stapler, Johnny Stapler, Tom Stapler, and Barbara Hillier. Preceding her in passing are her son, Benjamin Edwin Carrigan; brother, Eddie Stapler; and sister, Hannah “Susi” Evans.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a memorial service for Mary on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Leola United Methodist Church, 7 W. Main St., Leola, PA 17540, at 2:30 p.m. In remembrance, please consider supporting Appalachian Service Project, Project Linus, or UNTO in Mary’s name.
