Mary Rita Hagan

Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother.

Mary Rita Tucker Hagan was born on September 5, 1930, in Denver, Colorado. She entered into eternal life on September 27, 2025, surrounded by loved ones near and far. She is preceded in death by the love of her life, James Francis Hagan, her husband of 64 years. She is also preceded in death by her dear parents Aloysius Vincent Tucker and Mary Myrtle Maddock Tucker, her only sister and brother-in-law Rosanna and Harvey Jensen, grandson Cayetano Trujillo, son John Vincent Hagan, daughter-in-law Suzanne Stillwagon Hagan, and grand daughter-in-law Renee Katz Hagan.

On their wedding night, October 11, 1952, Mary Rita and James dedicated their future children to the Holy Family

She is lovingly remembered by Mary Ann, James Michael, John Vincent (Teresa), Joseph Anthony (Lucina), Jerome Francis (Tracy), MaDonna Moncada (Juan), Jeffery Charles (Roxanne), Jason Curtis (Janelle), and Marisa Grosso (John); 35 grandchildren and spouses; 37 great-grandchildren and spouses; 4 great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and two surviving Hagan sisters-in-law of Perryville, Missouri.

After high school, Mary Rita worked at Argenzio’s Jewelry Store and JC Penney in Denver, and later as an elevator operator in Oakland, California. She devoted many years as a stay-at-home mother while her children were young, participating actively as a Room Mother, PTA President, and volunteering in countless school and parish activities.

She was well known for her distinctive whistle that could be heard throughout the neighborhood—her signature way of calling her children home for dinner.

After raising her family, she worked as a church secretary at Holy Name Catholic Church in Sheridan, Colorado, and as a school bus driver for Sheridan Public Schools. Her deep faith guided her service in many church ministries including lector, sacristan, song leader, Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, and leader of the Rosary before Mass.

Mary Rita loved to craft and create. She had a passion for making beautiful and thoughtful handmade items—decorative candles, special occasion cakes, ceramics, blankets, costumes, wedding mints, and chocolates. She especially enjoyed teaching her chocolate-making skills to family and friends. Her talents extended to sewing clothing for her grandchildren and making altar linens and Baptismal stoles for her parish.

She also took great pride in her garden and enjoyed decorating her home—especially at Christmas—welcoming both friends and strangers with warmth and hospitality.

But most of all, Mary Rita loved spending time with her grandchildren. Whether baking treats, attending performances and events, or simply sharing stories, her greatest joy was being surrounded by family. Her love, laughter, and wisdom shaped generations, and her presence was a constant source of comfort and strength.

Mary Rita, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma and Great-Great Grandma will be deeply missed

“It is well with my soul”