Martha Dugan – the sweetest soul

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Dugan column photo copyweb
Martha Dugan

Commentary by Dave Dugan

Longtime Carmel resident Martha Dugan was born in Tuscola, Ill., on Oct 25, 1931. She married my dad, Jim, in 1954, (they were inseparable for more than 59 years) and moved to Carmel’s Main Street in 1961 along with me and my sister, Debbie. No roundabouts back then, but we did have a classic movie theater and Toot’s Drive-in.

Residents may remember seeing Martha running around town in her ’64 T-Bird with her beautiful blue eyes, perennial tan and blinding-white sneakers. Mom volunteered at our schools, played golf, bridge and bowled, but her main focus was maintaining a warm and loving home for our family.

In the 60s and 70s, our family never missed a Greyhound basketball game and Martha was passionate about I.U. and Butler basketball, the Bears, Pacers and Colts.

She had an infectious laugh and no problem laughing at herself.  My greatest comedy influences were my parents. While doing standup at Crackers, I had a segment where I included my mom.  Resistant to being “in the spotlight,” but ever-supportive, she mustered up her courage and joined me on stage.

That was the kind of person Mom was – ALWAYS thinking of others first. Even in her last few months, no matter how bad she felt, she focused on how everyone else was doing.

She was an incredible cook and a total “clean freak.” She could vacuum the entire house and not leave a footprint or track. Our friends were always welcome (as long as they took their shoes off)!

Mom put her heart into every holiday. In addition to creating many special memories, mom collected Christmas houses, music boxes and guardian angels.

Martha touched a lot of lives. If everyone had her unselfish heart and her sweet soul, the world would surely be a better place.

Mom passed away unexpectedly after complications from a simple surgical procedure, Aug. 18.

A few days before, I brought Mom to our house, she sat on our porch and listened to her favorite songs … she didn’t feel well, but she kept smiling and said it was such a fun and wonderful day!  Every moment with mom was golden.

Ironically, much like her guardian angels were to her, mom is now our guardian angel, and the best angel heaven could ever have.

Although I write this with tears in my eyes, we also are filled with joy that we had the most wonderful mother, wife and grandmother ever.

We love you forever Martha/Mom/Grandma – Jim, Dave, Debbie, Heidi, Derek, Max and Riley.


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