Mary Cassatt Milligan

Mary C. Milligan, age 71, passed away on July 27, 2023, in Gulfport, MS.

Mary would not want to be remembered as someone who courageously fought a cancer battle, but would prefer to live in your hearts as the strong, resilient, and even rebellious contrarian that she was. She passed as a result of living life to the fullest, loving so hard it hurt, and doing it all according to her own rules.

Mary was born on March 19, 1952, in Steger, IL and had been a resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast since the late 1970’s. She attended Bloom High School in Bloom Township, IL. She and her husband Don were members of the VFW in Biloxi, and she enjoyed ceramics with her friends at the Biloxi Senior Center. Mary had a passion for fishing, boating, and gardening, but above all, she cherished her family.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband, Don Milligan, her beloved stepson, Donnie Milligan, her parents, Mr. Dominick Pagoria and Mrs. Marie Kelly Pagoria; and by her brother, Chuck Pagoria. She was also preceded by her first husband Jay Cassatt.

Mary will forever be missed by her children, Stephanie Lynn Cassatt (Charlie Cates) of Atlanta, GA, stepdaughter, Shana Milligan Hare (Chris) of Pensacola, FL, and son-in-law, James Clayton (Donnie Milligan) of Pensacola, FL. She is survived by her siblings, Pete Pagoria, Margaret Pagoria, John Pagoria, and Dominick Pagoria.

A service to celebrate Mary's life will be held on August 11, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Biloxi National Cemetery. The procession to the cemetery will begin at Riemann Family Funeral Home, located at 274 Beauvoir Rd. Biloxi, MS 39531, at 10:30 AM. A Celebration of Life Reception will follow from 11:30 - 2:00 pm at the Patio 44 Banquet Room, 124 Main Street Biloxi, where Mary’s family and friends will hug one another and share stories of the love Mary gave. 

In lieu of flowers, Mary requested donations to be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, or The American Cancer Society. Links to donate can be found below.

www.RiemannFamily.com