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Mary Gwen

Image by Nick Andréka

MARY GWENDOLYN DUGGAN

(née MacKAY)

January 12, 1933 – July 6, 2021

Peacefully and surrounded by her loving family, Mary Gwen passed away at the Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 88.

 

Mary Gwen leaves her five children - John (Kathy), Matthew (Lisa), Charlotte (Carl) Christopher (Indra), and Tobias (Allison); five grandsons - Chester, Kurt, Jack, Amar and Ravi; and five granddaughters - Amelia, Molly, Lucy, Mary June, and Sonya. Mary Gwen’s husband Dennis Duggan predeceased her in 2009. Her parents Scott and Charlotte MacKay, and her brothers Scott and Edwin predeceased her, and she leaves her brothers Lyal and Murray, and her sister-in-law Clare MacLean and brother-in-law Allan Evoy.

 

Mary Gwen was born in Limerick, Saskatchewan where her father owned and operated the local pharmacy. She and her four older brothers grew up there and in Regina, before she left for Edmonton, Alberta where she met and soon married Dennis Duggan who had recently arrived from southern Ontario. They were truly best friends for life.

 

Mary Gwen played many roles in her life and had an extraordinary array of talents and accomplishments, although self-deprecating to a fault, and always with a wit as dry as the prairie. Mary Gwen left us with a joke in the midst of a conversation that began a long time ago and that we all wished would never end.

 

A small gathering was held at her granddaughter Molly’s house to celebrate Mary Gwen’s life. A good time was had by all. The family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: West Central Women’s Resource Centre, 640 Ellice Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3G 0A7

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​

Memories, Stories and Condolences

 

Please share a story, photo, memory or condolence for the family by completing the form below and clicking "Post Comment"

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Lynda Ruban

August 3, 2021 at 7:57 PM

Extending my heartfelt sympathy on Mary Duggan's passing. Mary was a long time volunteer with Canadian Cancer Society's annual door to door campaign.  A dear soul, I always looked forward to a brief visit when she lived at Tree Top Village!  Sorry for your loss....Lynda Ruban Canadian Cancer Society (retired)
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Barny Haines

August 3, 2021 at 8:44 AM

Sorry to hear. Great photo, brought back great memories…
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Dave and Eleanor Schellenberg

July 20, 2021 at 6:57 PM

Mary Gwen and Denny were good friends over the years.  We have lots of  memories of spending time with them and their family.   Mary Gwen was a good friend of Eleanor's  They used to play bridge together.   We are so sorry to hear of her death.  Please accept our sympathy.  With love, Dave and Eleanor Schellenberg.
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Dennis Butcher

July 18, 2021 at 8:09 PM

My wife Amy and I met Mary shortly after taking up residence at Fred Douglas Place as she came to interview the two of us for the FDP newsletter preparing articles on new residents. From that point I enjoyed meeting and interacting  with her at every possible occasion because of her sharp wit and sense of humour as we tried to outdo each other. I can remember one evening I had come down to the "A" floor and encountered Mary to whom I said "Are you down here terrorizing the neighbourhood" to which she immediately responded "No I'm terrorizing myself". We all missed her when she moved out of our building.
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Diane McGifford

July 17, 2021 at 8:51 PM

I have been meaning to write something about our relationship with Mary (and Dennis) and I will, but not quite yet.  Ed and I are sorry not to have seen Mary last summer and now not at all.  But we do have wonderful memories: playing bridge with Mary and Dennis, Christmas dinner in the Duggan basement, Mary and Dennis at our cottage--good times on Oakwood, Tree Top Village, and then Fred Douglas--37 years of friendship.  Mary was with me the night my mum died.  She brought over a bottle of wine and stayed until the family showed up.  She was the right person to be there. I was and am so grateful for her kindness.  I remember us riding bikes in Riverview on hot, humid summer evenings.  We confined ourselves to back lanes, agreeing that backyards were both more interesting and revelatory about the residents.  For me Mary's love of backyards ties to her insightfulness, curiosity and her famous wry sense of humor.  As Emily Dickinson wrote "Tell all the Truth but Tell it Slant/ Success in Circuit lies."  In our back lanes wanderings we found a kind of truth.  Call it friendship. Our hearts and thoughts are with all the Duggans, kids and grandkids, and with the Karp scion.  Please know that we remember Mary with love and respect.  She was ein echt Mensch.
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Gayle Moore-Morrans

July 17, 2021 at 6:17 PM

Sincerest condolences to Mary's family at the passing of a wonderful woman from her former fellow residents at Fred Douglas Place in Winnipeg. We sincerely miss Mary's warm smile and bright outlook on life.😳
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thomas & Christina

July 15, 2021 at 8:05 PM

Tobe, and Allison, we are sorry to hear about this loss. We know how much your Mom meant to you, and we send our fond wishes & hope to see you soon. 
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Emily Richard

July 15, 2021 at 2:35 AM

Mary was such a loving, intelligent, witty, and compassionate matriarch, and this clearly rubbed off on her family. I am so fortunate to have called Mig a friend, and will miss sipping tea and eating “Mig’s Buns” with her.  Sending my love to the Duggan crew! 
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