Catherine "Betsy" E. Duggan

December 19, 1937 - November 10, 2025

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Obituary for Catherine "Betsy" E. Duggan

Catherine Elizabeth “Betsy" Duggan, of Dorchester, MA, passed away on Monday, November 10th, 2025. She was 87 years old.

Catherine was born on December 19th,1937 to the late Mary and Jeremiah Duggan. Catherine was the second oldest of four girls: Patricia, Mary “Resa,” and Ellen, and sister to two brothers: Daniel and Jeremiah Francis. She was a graduate of Archbishop Cushing High School in 1955. Catherine spent a great deal of time enjoying and playing piano for family and friends. She loved movies and theater. While in grammar school she was asked to write and produce a Christmas play which to this day bring fond memories by her siblings. Her life as a Catholic from early years included her participation in many Catholic parishes within the Boston community. Spring and Summertime were her favorite seasons and often recalled favorite memories that were held at Nantasket beach and Franklin Park.

After high school, Catherine went on to train and work as a switchboard supervisor at the Boston Lying In Hospital, now known as the Brigham and Women’s hospital. She was immensely proud and successful in that position and relished the social aspects of her work community.

In 1960 Catherine embarked on a special trip with her sister Resa to tour the great sites and cities of Europe. This created a lifetime of memories she would cherish and recall in her later years.

In 1969 Catherine and Mario welcomed their only child Stephen into the world, whom she loved so much.

Catherine expressed a particularly loving affection towards her niece, Julie, sharing a lifetime of support and laughter, especially during her medical challenges in life.

Her later years were spent laughing, supporting, and loving her family and friends. An avid movie and biography buff all her life; Catherine could lead a tour of a Hollywood studio lot with the best of them. The later years of life brought chronic health conditions that made life challenging, but her love of God and family kept her with us finding new ways to celebrate each day.

Catherine leaves to cherish her loving memory of her son, Stephen, his wife Wyslande and son Joshua, her sisters Mary and Ellen, nephews Richard, Matthew and nieces Melissa and Julie. We are grateful for the love and support by of her dearest friends that visited often: Mary, Patricia and Ben and family members, Irvlise and Christine, who loved and have enriched her later life. May she rest in the peace of Christ.

Flowers can be delivered to Dolan Funeral Home 1140 Washington Street, Dorchester , lower Mills.

Her final years were shared with the closest family and her animals, in particular her cats Mama and Brownie, which she cherished.

In lieu of flowers please choose to donate to the MSPCA in Catherine Duggan’s name at Tribute/Memorial Gifts - The MSPCA-Angell. God bless.

Visitation 9-10 AM on Saturday, November 22nd in at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, in St Angela Church, 1548 Blue Hill Ave, Mattapan. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10AM.

Interment in Fairview Cemetery, Hyde Park.

Services

22 Nov

Burial Service

09:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish 1548 Blue Hill Avenue Mattapan, MA 02126 Get Directions »
22 Nov

Burial Service

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish 1548 Blue Hill Avenue Mattapan, MA 02126 Get Directions »
22 Nov

Burial

11:45 AM

Fairview Cemetery 45 Fairview Avenue Boston, MA 02136 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Tributes

  • 5 TREES

    Stephen Duggan planted 5 trees in memory of Catherine "Betsy" E. Duggan . - November 12, 2025

Condolences

  • January 19, 2026

    Ivy JB

    A few years back, I had the pleasure of experiencing my first concert with Catherine: the Il Volo concert. My daughter, sister, and brother-in-law enjoyed her enthusiasm and thrill for the concert. There was only one problem: it was raining pretty badly outside, and the venue was outdoors. Although I couldn't tell because of how much fun we were all having because of her. May you rest in peace and encourage us to look for the sunshine on even the rainiest of days. - Love, Ivy & Christine

  • November 22, 2025

    Emilie Obas

    My heart felt condolences to the entire Duggan Family who are grieving the loss of a very special woman whom has gone on to be with her Creator. May her love, passion, and faith be forever cherished and remembered by all who were graced by her presence. -Obas Family

  • November 21, 2025

    Michele Vincitore

    While I never had the pleasure of meeting your mother personally, I felt I got to know her a bit through your stories and pictures. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  • November 17, 2025

    Wyslande Duggan

    Every Christmas or every birthday in our household, she would always pull me aside and give me the money and and make sure I buy a gift for everybody for their birthday. She couldn't get out the way she used to. In the earlier years, when she still could get out with us, she would always love to go to the store and we would shop together and she would put her own gifts together. Mom....going out would always be a highlight for her week. Sharing her ideas about what she would get was always fun for her. She'd make the plan. Repeat the plan make the plan again and say "are you sure dear you're not gonna forget, dear" Sometimes she would chicken out and wouldn't go, but many of the times she was ready to go and telling us to hurry up She tried to always get the perfect gift, no matter what the cost. Every time we went out, she made us laugh really a deep belly laugh. She'll say something funny about someone in the crowd or amongst us and she'll make us all feel silly and forget our troubles while we're out together. This is one of the best sides of her. Love , Wyslande PS don't forget Daniel Boone is the show the favorite show no matter how many times no matter how often it's on it has to be on. We must have Daniel Boone on FETV. And we must watch, Manix, Emergency, Quincy and all the other favorite shows Rest in peace mom

  • November 16, 2025

    Chantal

    Whenever I visited my cousin Wyslande and Stephen, I would go in to say hi to Betsy and she would always welcome me with a cheerful smile saying "how are you honey, you look beautiful". I have a treasured phone video of Betsy from a few years ago singing happy birthday to me. I will remember Betsy in her warm and cozy home with her beloved cats. Rest in peace Betsy ❤️

  • November 16, 2025

    Julie

    My loving auntie was called home to god. She passed Nov 10 ,2025. Life has changed. She made a difference my life. My grandmother lived in the key stone my aunts mother. They had an elavater in the building. My auntie took me up and down in it for some silly way she. Would hum say there are turkeys in the elevator. Boy my auntie the wonderful things she did conversations showing up to visit her chronically ill niece in the hospital me. Always made sweet phone conversations. It could be from family stories to prayers advice caring protection calling me the little girl she never had. My auntie brought love laughter joy to her family . Good times bad times in between times she walked by my side encouraged me to be strong caring the love she showed. Going to my parents pool always looking out for her family if it's just one word be safe whatever you are doing or going. She gave me many names my baby little girl you turned into a strong pretty woman. Listen. To me never settle for anyone anything let god take care of it. She was a proud mother to her only child son who was her savior life she was a proud. Aunt loved those who touched her life. She was the sister of late Patricia Daniel Jeremiah Also had my mother Ellen. Her sister Resa she was cared loved by all of us she her family was important we were her enjoyment my aunts fun witty laughing great lady came into this world left us. But not completely. She will carry on in our hearts. Rest in peace auntie until we meet again in heaven.

  • November 12, 2025

    Emilia Lamy

    My condolences to you and the family. Catherine has a great sense of humour and love her animals dearly, specially her cats. She was my favorite patient among them all. We shared the same passion for cats. I remembered the day we sneaked in the cat in the house, we didn't want Steven to find out about that, this cat became pregnant before I came for her care I have to stop to the market for cat food. May she rest in peace ♥️♥️♥️

  • November 12, 2025

    Mary Hebard

    I am really going to miss my visits with Betsy- getting cleaned out of my quarters in our "high stakes" poker games (sorry, Betsy, couldn't afford to up the ante to $1 because you were a shark!), waiting for our favorite show Quincy to come on as we watched movies where you knew every star and other roles they played, gabbing about anything and everything, and playing with Mama and Brownie (when he deigned to join us!). Your delight to see me always made me feel special. Stephen, Wyslande, and family- what love you showed in your commitment to care for her these many years! Know that the love you shared lives on and will sustain you as you support each other through this time of loss.