Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Moraghan

Betty’s service will be livestreamed below starting at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 1, 2023. We are reliant on the church’s wi-fi signal for a strong connection, if something happens to that connection, the service is being recorded and the recording will be posted at a later date.

On April 17, 1932, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” (Sullivan) Moraghan was born in Evanston, Illinois, the third of the nine children of Francis and Margaret Sullivan. Betty had a happy childhood and grew up in Chicago, blessed by loving parents and siblings. She was educated in Catholic schools from kindergarten through her college graduation from Barat College (Lake Forest, IL). Her childhood hope was to teach English, and she pursued this goal at the University of Chicago, where she obtained her master’s in English. Subsequently, she taught for four years at Barat, her alma mater.

During Christmas week in 1957, she met John Moraghan, an Australian studying for his PhD in agronomy. The two met at the doorway of Betty’s childhood home, where she was hosting a party. They were engaged a year later and married in 1959. Two sons and two daughters were born in Iowa (Andrew) and Minnesota (Kathy, Tom, and Diane). After a year of teaching at Iowa State, Betty stayed home with the children for 15 years before returning to teaching in 1975. She taught English and poetry classes for 20 years at Moorhead State University, including courses on Australian poetry, a rare event in American colleges. She cared for each of her students, and it was common for her children to find her burning the midnight oil to give students’ essays the attention and feedback which each deserved. Her love of teaching was only second to her love of God and family. She was an absolutely devoted mother and wife who exemplified steadfast, unconditional love for her family throughout her life.

Other employment and responsibilities included working for two national conventions held in Chicago (1952 and 1954), being a team leader for the National Census, teaching religious classes for eight years, and serving on the Holy Spirit School Board. Her interests in education, civic duty, and faith were evident in these chosen activities and roles.

Betty loved to read and participated for 40 years in the NDSU Women’s Book Club as well as four years in her parish book club. These activities combined her focus on friendships and love of learning. She treasured time driving with her family through the fields and sunsets of North Dakota and Minnesota. She wrote wonderful poetry throughout her life. Once the blessing of grandchildren arrived, she took a special joy in each one as she treasured her time and conversations with each child. Her face lit up with every call or visit, which was often filled with laughter.

In later years, she moved to Riverview Place and participated in the Riverview Writing Group and the Chesterton Society. Betty cherished the opportunities to exchange ideas and the companionships that developed at Riverview. She was always interested in learning about others and focused on reaching out to people she met. Even in times of difficult suffering, she was swift to inquire about others’ well being and the things that mattered most to them. She maintained her memorization of poems, the French language, music, and movies throughout her life, and these interests were all part of the conversations she shared.

“My life has been full of blessings: my faith, my family, and friends. All my life I have been befriended by loyal friends and family. Thank you to all of you.”

Betty will be remembered as unselfish, generous, loving, and a woman of great faith. Our family will miss her beautiful spirit every day.

During the last several years, Betty was cared for by Sanford Hospice House. The kindness of the hospice staff led to new relationships and connections as well as receiving amazing care. The time at hospice included weekly poetry readings from wonderful family friend Mike Hagstrom; cherished calls, cards, and visits from Laura Fasick; TCM schedules and kindness delivered from Karla and David Morstad; and wonderful visits from dear friends including Jan and John Nowatski, Doreen and Jack Kennelly, and beloved Jeanne Prom.

Betty is survived by her four children; Andrew Moraghan (Bismarck), Kathleen (Rob) Moraghan Olson (Fargo), Thomas (Jill) Moraghan, (Nisswa, MN), and Diane (Emmet Jr.) Kenney (Fargo), as well as 9 grandchildren: John, Sophie, William, Emmet III, Joseph, Patrick, Catherine, Matthew, and Nicholas, and 1 great grandchild (with another arriving in April). She is also survived by her brother, Gene (Mary) Sullivan (Oak Park, IL), sisters Noreen Brady and Trudy Schneider (Chicago, IL), sister-in-law, Teresa Sullivan (Chicago, IL), Pauline Moraghan (Dubbo, NSW, Australia), and many beloved nieces and nephews in the United States and Australia. Devoted relatives include nephew Ben Moraghan (Fargo).

She was preceded in death by her adored husband, John; her parents, Margaret and Francis “F.J.” Sullivan; and siblings Frank Sullivan, Margaret “Honey” Moga, Pat Sullivan, Dan Sullivan, and Mark Sullivan, who died as a child. She is also preceded in death by sister-in-laws Joan, Dawn, and Pauline Moraghan; and brother-in-laws Peter and Brian Moraghan.

We will honor Betty Moraghan’s life on Saturday, April 1, 2023 with visitation from 10-11 am at Holy Spirit Church and funeral mass at 11 am. After the mass, the family invites you to join them for lunch and fellowship at the church, as well as an opportunity for sharing warm memories of Betty.

Betty cared deeply about many causes. Memorials are not necessary, but if desired, please donate to St. John Paul II Catholic Schools.