Margaret Ann Duggan

Aug 13, 1948 -

Jan 30, 2024

Margaret Duggan passed away quietly while surrounded by her loving family on Jan. 30, 2024. She was born in 1948, grew up in David City, Neb., and was the oldest of seven children.

She earned degrees from Duchesne College, Creighton University and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Nebraska. She became a registered dietitian.

Margaret met and married a gawky but promising Creighton Law School student, Jack Duggan. First stop on their married life was Washington, D.C., where they enjoyed Appalachian Trail hikes and canoe trips. They next moved north to Alaska, where Margaret started as the state dietitian visiting bush villages. Later, she worked as the Anchorage School District nutrition head, Head Start Nutrition Director and Manager for the Anchorage Women, Infants and Children program. We are especially proud of her decades-long work advocating for mother and child nutrition.

A one-in-a-million mother, Margaret made sure her three children learned the importance of helping people in need. They often traveled along on volunteer food deliveries. She showed them empty cupboards and helped them understand how fortunate they were. She never missed their soccer games, 6 a.m. hockey practices or school functions - times three. She was fiercely proud of her children, their well-chosen spouses and six absolutely perfect grandchildren. Those grandchildren were her true joy. Saying goodbye at her deathbed, the grandkids repeated how much they loved her and performed a last "dance party" just like the close of every Sunday family dinner. Aware that one grandchild was still traveling, Margaret held on until she arrived at her bedside.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jack Duggan, and their three children, spouses and grandchildren: John (Brooke) Duggan, Patrick (Jessica Sellers) Duggan and Moire (Jason) Bockenstedt. Those nearly perfect grandchildren include a predeceased grandson, Jameson, waiting in heaven, Johnny Duggan, Addison Duggan, Henry Bockenstedt, Mairin Bockenstedt, Sophie Duggan and another on the way. She is also survived by her siblings, Bill, Maureen (Mark), Jeanne (Angelo), Mariclaire (Jay) and Theresa (Eddie); nieces and nephews; and best friend, Beverly. Preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary Tomek; and brother, Mark.

A Catholic Mass to celebrate Margaret's life will be held at 1 p.m., on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024, at St. Benedict's Parish in Anchorage, Alaska, with a brief visitation at 12:15 p.m. preceding the mass. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to the Food Bank of Alaska, her special and professional lifelong interest.