Jim was born in Pasco,
WA to Joe and Anna
Horrigan. When he was
a young boy the family
moved to the Seattle/
Everett area. At the age
of 17 he and his best
friend Phil volunteered
for what they imagined
would be yet another
wild adventure experiencing
the world together
in the Army Air
Corps. Jim was a radio
operator on a C-47 until
the end of the war.
He did indeed travel
the globe only to find
his way back home where he spent the
remainder of his full life. After the war he
worked for the family businesses managing
Horrigan’s Market at Boren and Pike
in Seattle, building homes, and developing
land in Kenmore. In 1960 he joined the
commercial real estate division of Henry
Broderick at 2nd and Cherry in downtown
Seattle. He remained in commercial real
estate until his retirement in 1985 as the
Vice President and Regional Manager of
Commercial Property Management with
Coldwell Banker.
In 1957 Jim met the love of his life on a
blind date; he and Helen were married in
the summer of 1962. Their 58-year marriage
was a life-long love affair as best
friends and companions. They were wellknown
for their hand holding, stolen kisses,
and taking a spin around the dance
floor (with Jim in his socks of course).
He loved to cook and was famous for his
barbequing expertise; a skill he passed
down to a few of his grandchildren who
are equally superb grillers. The family
says thank you! Jim never met a story he
didn’t enjoy telling. He was a consummate
communicator; always ready with advice,
direction, remembrances, and laughter.
Jim and Helen’s home was a gathering
place where they enjoyed hosting parties
for family, friends, and colleagues. He produced
a big smile for anyone walking into
a room; you felt instantly welcomed. Despite
being a fair skinned freckled redhead,
‘Uncle Socks’ loved spending time in the
sun. After retirement Jim and Helen spent
their winters in Hawaii, Arizona, and Palm
Desert. Summers were spent tending to
their large vegetable and flower gardens,
boating the waters of Puget Sound with
friends or at their family
beach cabin along Colvos
Passage with their
daughters and grandchildren.
It was at the
beach cabin where the
bonds of family were
nurtured and grew
strong, projects were
planned, life lessons
were learned, and many
stories were told around
the dinner table. Jim
was a steadfast husband,
father, grandfather and
friend. Family was first
and foremost in his life
but his thoughtfulness,
generosity, and caretaking were felt by all
who knew him.
A glass of wine with his beautiful wife, a
dog to pet, a cat to fuss over, fresh seafood,
late nights with his favorite publication,
riding the train, barbecuing ribs, catching
fish, pu-pu’s with his little sister, a round
of golf, sleeping late, a cold beer on a hot
afternoon, and a day in the sun without a
cloud in the sky…these were but a few of
his favorite things.
Jim and Helen spent 54 glorious years in
their home on Mercer Island where every
family gathering was held; terrific memories
were made there with their daughters
and grandchildren. Jim spent the last 3
years living at Covenant Shores memory
care residence on Mercer Island where
he enjoyed socializing every day with the
residents and staff. He was blessed to have
such a wonderful home in his last years
that was filled with compassion and care
for his needs.
Jim is survived by his wife Helen Elizabeth
(Milne) of 58 years; sister Joanne Galvin
of Palm Desert, CA; 2 daughters Glenna
Diefendorf (David), Kathleen Marth
(John); 7 grandchildren Anna Diaz, Patrick
Diefendorf (Linda), Jocelyn Bowen (Tyler),
Joseph Diefendorf (Kristin), Shannon
Marth, James Marth (Tess), Daniel Marth;
11 great grandchildren; numerous nieces,
nephews, extended family and friends. Jim
was preceded in death by his parents Joseph
and Anna (Shannon) Horrigan, and
2 sisters Katherine Horrigan and Isabelle
Eichner. In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made in Jim’s honor to the Spinal Muscular
Atrophy Foundation (smafoundation.
org) or to a charity of your choosing.
