Obituary of Margaret Jacqueline Dugan

Margaret J. (Jackie) Dugan (nee Watts) of Warren, NJ died peacefully early Wednesday morning, March 11, 2015 at home. Visitation will be held at the Higgins Home for Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, NJ on Sunday, March 15th from 1-3 PM and 6-8 PM. A mass of Christian burial celebrating Jackie's life will be offered on Monday, March 16th at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's - Stony Hill Roman Catholic Church, 225 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung. Entombment will follow in St. Mary's cemetery. Jackie was born in East Orange, NJ to Ann and George Watts who predeceased her. She was raised in Newark and graduated from West Side High School. After marrying her husband John, they lived in Elizabeth and Watchung before retiring and moving to Warren, NJ. Jackie was very active with the Watchung Hills Regional High School Warrior Booster club in the 70's and 80's and always made great breakfasts for the football teams on game day. She also worked in the records division of the Watchung Police Department for years and was a legal secretary for her husband's law practice for many years. Jackie was a parishioner of St. Mary's Church- Stony Hill. Surviving are John J. Dugan, Sr., her husband of 58 years; daughter Kathleen Rito (Anthony) of Warren, NJ, sons Thomas (Catherine) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, John, Jr. (Maureen) of Westfield, NJ, Michael ( Deborah) of Branchburg, NJ, James ( Jacqueline) of Chester, NJ, Patrick ( Carolyn) of Flemington, NJ; eighteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Sheila Cahill ( James) of Tom's River, NJ. The family also wishes to express their gratitude and respect for Jackie's two loving caretakers Jessica Hathaway and Mary Coleman who provided her with outstanding, compassionate around the clock care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stirling Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 123, Stirling, NJ, 07980 where her son in law Anthony and grandson Daniel are firefighters.