Mary Jane Duggan

DUGGAN, MARY JANE

(nee EICHELMAN)

Mary Jane Duggan, 96, formerly of Frederick and long-time resident of Buckingham's Choice, died January 14, 2021 in Frederick. Born August 29, 1924 in Halethorpe, Maryland, she was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Rose Ada (Kern) Eichelman, brothers Joseph and James (Sarita, dec'd), and husband William Matthew Duggan, Jr. She is survived by her sister Cecilia Ann Hatch (Robert, dec'd), sister-in-law Dawn Duggan (Edward, dec'd), daughters Rosemary Hodges (Richard, dec'd), Ann Bratthauer (Gary), Jane McDermott (Donald) and Moira Clare Duggan, grandchildren Lisa (Nina), Jonathan (Hillary), and Elizabeth, great-grandchildren Matilde, Naolen and Ada, and several nieces and nephews.

Upon graduation from Strayer's Business College, she worked as medical secretary to Alan Churchill Woods, MD, director of Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. After marrying William Duggan, she embarked upon what proved to be her most treasured role. In her words, "My only claim to glory is that I loved being a wife and mother, and enjoyed life here on earth." She took great pride in her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her middle years, she re-entered the workforce as office manager for local ophthalmologist Martin Lipson, MD.

Well-known both for her hugs and her hospitality, Mrs. Duggan welcomed family, friends and neighbors -- even the occasional stranger -- to the family dinner table. She was a mother figure to many of her daughters' friends, who remember her fondly.

Mrs. Duggan was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church where she served in many roles including Prefect of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, and Regent of the Catholic Daughters' Court of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton #278. She played the organ and the piano.

Late in life, Mrs. Duggan found time to develop her gifts as a watercolor and sketch artist, working primarily in charcoal, pastels and watercolor. Her work was featured in exhibits of local artists at the Delaplaine Art Center and Buckingham's Choice. She was a motivated learner, an avid reader, and after her retirement took community college courses. Other hobbies included writing poetry, gardening, baking, and crocheting.

Gifts in her memory can be made to St. John Cemetery Endowment Fund or the Frederick Soup Kitchen c/o Frederick Community Action Agency.

Funeral services are private due to the coronavirus pandemic, followed by burial in St. John Cemetery.