Anne F. Duggan

MILTON, MA: Anne F Duggan, longtime resident of Milton, and beloved wife of the late Joseph F Duggan, Jr. passed away peacefully, after a short illness, at Milton Hospital, on March 22, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Braintree in 1927, Anne was the daughter of immigrants, Mary ‘Molly’ Collins and Robert H Gillan, who met at a Scottish dance, at the Union Congregational Church, a popular gathering place for the Scottish Community in Weymouth Landing.

Anne’s father died in a Fore River Shipyard accident when Anne was only 18 months old, so Anne grew up with her extended Collins Family in their Braintree home.  Along with her Uncle Jim’s family, Anne’s grandmother and namesake, ‘Annie’ Collins, became her primary caretaker while her mother worked outside the home.  Anne credits her grandmother and mother as being the strongest influences in her upbringing, teaching her many life lessons in hard work, honesty, frugality, and kindness to others.

After graduating from Braintree High School in 1945, Anne attended Boston School of Dental Nursing.  She was briefly employed as a dental assistant until she met a handsome pilot, Joe Duggan.  They were married in 1947 and within the first 20 years of their 50-year marriage they had 13 children together.

Anne’s interests included: Family (especially holiday gatherings); Reading (favorite author, fellow Scotsman, David McCullough); Traveling (locally and globally); and Shopping (an astute hunter of bargains and coupons). Anne is survived by all 13 of her children: Joanne and Robert Fallon, NYC, NY; Karen and Mike McLaughlin, Merrimac, MA; Joseph F Duggan, III, Sarasota, FL; Kathleen and Cliff Robbins, W. Barnstable, MA; Nancy Duggan, Fairhaven, MA; Susan and Joe Victor, Braintree, MA; Jayne Duggan Kelly, Weymouth, MA; Richard Duggan and Eve Williams, West Palm Beach, FL;Christopher and Molly Duggan, Chelmsford, MA; Robert Duggan and Siobhan Moynihan, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; John and Lois Simonnet, Carpentras, France; Michael R. Duggan and Monique Turenne, Quincy, MA; Daniel and Saffrine Duggan, NSW, Australia. Also, 23 grandchildren: Alexandra, Lindsay and Timothy Fallon; Kaela, Kelly, Michael and Kerrie McLaughlin; Patrick and Dillon Duggan; Matt O’Connor; Gillian and Thomas Victor; Will and Danny Duggan; Jacob, Rachel, and Joseph Duggan; and Molly, Rory, Finn, Jack, Hazel, and Ginger Duggan. And nine great-grandchildren: Brett and William Duggan; Annie and Soren Fallon; Tessa Jayne Helle, Delaney and Dorie McNamara, and Jack and Reid LaBroad. Also survived by sister-in-law, Kathleen Lynch, and many nieces, nephews, Collins cousins, and friends. Anne was predeceased by her lovely granddaughter, Erin Duggan; and in-laws Babe and Ralph Vaccari, Trisha and Tony Susi, and John Lynch. The Duggan Family wants to extend heartfelt thanks to all the family, friends, and professionals who have participated in the compassionate care of our mother.
Funeral Mass at St. Pius X Church, Milton Saturday April 1st at 12:00 noon.  Visiting hours at the Alfred D. Thomas Funeral Home 326 Granite Ave Milton Saturday morning prior to the mass from 9:00 to 11:15 am.  Burial will be private.  In place of flowers, please donate to: The Greater Boston Food Bank, 70 S Bay Ave., Boston, MA 02118; www.gbfb.org.