Mary Margaret "Miggs" (Dean) Neenan

Miggs (Mary Margaret) Dean Neenan passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020.  She was 85.

Miggs was born on October 7, 1935 to Hugh and Louise (Craven) Dean. As a child, Miggs loved Dean Farm, where she grew up with her brother, Hugh.  She traveled extensively with her father, while also excelling in her studies, ballet, English Show Jumping, and ice skating.  She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Detroit and Newton College in Boston.  She was a self-taught skater by the age of 6 and was talented enough to be coached by Howard Nicholson, who also coached Sonya Henie.  In 1949, at age 14, Miggs became the youngest figure skating gold medalist in the United States.  She was a member of two United States Figure Skating World Teams, competing in St. Moritz, Switzerland and Oslo, Norway.   

Miggs married Timothy F. Neenan and they were the proud parents of two sons, Timothy H. Neenan and Hugh D. Neenan.  She and Tim were married for 43 years, until his death.  Miggs’s accomplishments and work ethic made her one of the most accredited and successful coaches in her field and she continued to coach figure skating in Michigan and Florida until 2012.  Miggs loved life and lived it her way.  She had a passion for her antiques, “bling”, the state of Florida and all animals.    

Her life was filled with loving stories of compassion for all animals that dates back to her childhood. Her most repeated phrases are “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” and “I like animals better than people.”She will forever be treasured and missed.

Due to health restrictions, a private family service will be held at a later date.

Miggs was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh & Louise Dean, husband, Timothy F. Neenan, son Timothy H. Neenan, grandson Brendan Neenan and step-grandson Jeremy Jackson.  

Miggs is survived by her brother, Hugh (Mary) Dean, son, Hugh (Lesa) Neenan, grandchildren, Tim Neenan, Katie Neenan, Deanna Begley and great grandson Timmy Begley

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made in Miggs memory to her favorite charity, The Michigan Humane Society, Administrative Office, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI  48025-4507.