Obituary of Margaret Helen (Kelly) Dugan

Margaret Helen (Kelly) Dugan, 92, was a caring and loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She left this world peacefully surrounded by family on June 20, 2022, after a brief illness. Marge was raised in Matawan and attended St. Joseph’s School in Keyport and St. Mary’s High School in South Amboy. She often spoke of her love of the stage and of her beginnings singing with her dad at the piano at age 5. Her starring role in the high school production of “Student Prince” was a source of pride and she passed her love of music along to her clan. She is survived by her six daughters and one son, Kathleen Ziller (Zeke), Margie Taylor (Roger), Karen Buckley Van Curen (Bryan), Jayne Gelder (Harry), Lisa Muir (Tom), Maureen MacCutcheon (Timothy), and John Dugan (Gunn). She was grandma to 23 grandchildren and GG to 23 great grandchildren. Marge was preceded in death by her father, Charles A. Kelly, mother, Margaret Jastrab Kelly, three brothers, John, Lt. Col. (Ret) Charles, and Michael Kelly. Also, her loving husband of 56 years, John (Jack), son-in-law, Thomas (Tommy) Buckley, and first grandchild, Michael. Her enjoyment in life was raising her family with her husband, Jack, in Colts Neck. BBQs were often held with family and friends, including the annual Dugan Jamboree. Their house was filled with fun, music, laughter, and love. Their lives were enriched by traveling to various places in America and their beloved Ireland. They were never ones to say no to an invitation and socializing with friends was essential. A New Year’s Eve included dressing to the nines and dancing until the wee hours of the night. Marge enjoyed her bridge club and bowling league; board and card games were always popular at family gatherings, too. In her later years, Marge enjoyed visiting the casinos and never did she miss getting her “numbers”. Marge will be sorely missed by so many. There was never an unkind word for others. Her love for fun with family and friends was never ending! Marge never retired from being a mother who will be forever cherished. Hail to the Queen! Visiting will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Gabriel’s Church, 100 North Main Street (Route 79), Marlboro on Thursday at 11 a.m. followed by interment at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St. Jude Children Research Hospital would be appreciated.