Kathleen Ann Duggan 1940- 2022

DUGGAN, TIERNAN, CROWLEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/23/2022 at 05:05:58

Sioux City Journal
7 August 2022

Kathleen Ann Duggan

Sioux City

Kathleen Ann Duggan, 81, of Sioux City died Sunday, July 31, 2022, from injuries suffered in an automobile accident, bringing an abrupt end to a life filled with faith, family, laughter, and love.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, with a rosary at 4:30 p.m. and a prayer service and time to share memories at 6 p.m., at Blessed Sacrament Church, 3012 Jackson St., Sioux City. The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the church, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery, 2802 Casselman St. A lunch will take place immediately after the burial at the church. Kathy's Mass will be live streamed at the following links: https://www.facebook.com/holycrossparishsc/live/ and https://holycrosssc.org/kathleen-kathy-duggan-funeral. Arrangements are with Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel.

Kathleen – Kathy to many family and friends – was born Dec. 10, 1940, to James F. Crowley and Rose E. (Tiernan) Crowley, in Des Moines, Iowa. The fifth of the couple's nine children, Kathy spent parts of her childhood in Perry and Grimes, Iowa, before the family settled in a two-bedroom house in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines. Forced proximity in the tiny house forged lifelong bonds between Kathy, her five brothers, and three sisters.

Kathy attended a Catholic elementary school and graduated from high school in 1959 from St. Joseph Academy in Des Moines. She attended Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and graduated as a registered nurse in 1962. She pulled night shifts at the Veterans Administration hospital in Des Moines, and years later she shared many memories of caring for combat veterans who served in the European and Pacific theaters of WWII and the Korean War. In the early 1980s, she returned to school and obtained a Bachelor of Science in professional arts degree in health care administration at St. Joseph's College in Standish, Maine.

In 1964, Kathy had dinner with James M. Duggan. The couple quickly fell in love and got engaged, but Jim wanted to finish medical school before they married. Kathy gave him a choice: take vows now, or she was off to New York to start anew. On Dec. 26, 1964, in Des Moines, Jim proved he could make the right decision under pressure – the couple went on to celebrate 55 years of marriage before his death in 2020.

Kathy stepped away from nursing to spend her days caring for the couple's children. The family spent time in Michigan and Arkansas, before living primarily in Cherokee and Sioux City. To maintain her sanity with four kids under the age of six, Kathy used wits, store-bought cookies, and that "I-mean-business" tone of voice. Along the way, she taught her children how to pray, loyalty to family and friends, the value of personal integrity, service to others, and making time to revel in the wonder and humor of those around us.

She loved parties, dancing, and dinner out, but could fix platters of fried chicken and barbecue shrimp that were unforgettable to those who had a seat at her table. She enjoyed hot coffee at sunrise, a vodka tonic at cocktail hour, a glass of pinot at dinner, and considered chocolate essential to general wellbeing. She always hummed and sang as she carried out daily tasks.

Kathy enjoyed puzzles, flowers, spending time with friends, and hours at her sewing machine. She made dozens of quilts, most of which she gave to family and friends. She loved traveling to quilt shows and shop hopping with her sewing pals, many whom she met through the Siouxland Samplers Quilt Guild.

Kathy was a devout Catholic, attending Mass every Sunday and many days in between. She gave her time to everything from serving funeral lunches to staffing a thrift store for Catholic Charities. She served many years in the Siouxland Medical Auxiliary, enjoyed being a member of Coterie Club, and volunteered and supported many other charitable and civic organizations, including Sioux City's soup kitchen and homeless shelter.

Kathy adored her grandchildren – Mick, Brittany, Matthew, Joseph, Ella, Sophie, Lilly, Adee, Alex, and Aidan. She had many friends and a knack for keeping straight the details of their lives, children, and grandchildren.

It was nearly impossible to engage in a conversation with Kathy that didn't devolve into uncontrollable laughter with tears streaming down cheeks. Her sudden absence has left us with another kind of tears, but our sadness will subside as we hold onto the laughter, gentleness, joy, and love that she gave us all.

Kathy is survived by her children James and Carla Duggan (Michael and Brittany) of North Liberty, Iowa, Joseph and Renee Duggan (Sophia, Lillian, and Adelaide) of Lincoln, Neb., Paula and Brian Massey (Matthew, Joseph, and Ella) of Olathe, Kan., and Patricia and Brian Korzeniewski (Alex and Aidan) of Olathe; siblings and in-laws Phil and Cindy Crowley of West Des Moines, Jerry Crowley of Raytown, Mo., Margaret and Gene McKelvey of Des Moines; Bob and Mary Crowley of Pueblo, Colo., Frances Beinecke of Buena Vista, Colo., and Patrick Crowley and Wilma Lucente of Pottstown, Pa.; sister-in-law Judie Crowley of Des Moines; and brother-in-law Jack Schmidt of Newtown Square, Pa.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband; sister, Mary Schmidt; brother, Jim; sister-in-law Alice Crowley; and brother-in-law Dennis Beinecke.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City, 1601 Military Road, Sioux City, Iowa, 51103; or the Warming Shelter, 916 Nebraska St., Sioux City, Iowa, 51105.