Obituary of Tam Duggan

Tammerson (Tam) Quast Duggan, 92, of Ocala, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2023.  

Tam was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 13, 1931.  She attended the University of Minnesota where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.  Tam, a coloratura soprano, sang with the University Choral group and performed professionally as a soloist in several churches in Minneapolis.  She performed with the Minneapolis Symphony and with the Minneapolis Choralaires, a professional choral group which toured the US and Europe.

On November 3, 1956, Tam married Malcolm R. Duggan, Jr., whom she met while he was a boarder at her parents’ home.  Right after the wedding, Tam and Mal moved to Ocala as Mal had joined his uncle’s CPA firm.

Tam quickly became involved in the Ocala community.  She and Mal joined the First United Methodist Church where she shared her vocal talents with the congregation.  She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Tam and Mal have two daughters, Jillian Doyle (married to Bob) and Judy Campbell (married to Brad).  They have four grandchildren (Cody, Jocelyn, Kelly and Molly) and two great-grandchildren (Hazel and Lincoln).

She made many lifelong friends through her involvement with the community. 

Taking on every project with gusto, Tam was a social dynamo.  She was deeply involved with many women’s organizations.  She was president of the Ocala Junior Woman’s Club and chaired the OJWC Follies.  Tam was later involved with the Woman’s Club of Ocala, and eventually became president of the Florida Federation of Woman’s Clubs. 

Tam co-founded the “Gray Ladies”, a volunteer group for Munroe Regional Medical Center, where she served as a volunteer for twenty-one years.  She was a director on the MRMC board, and was president of the hospital auxiliary.

Tam was a member, leader, director and officer of many other organizations.  These include the Mother’s March on Polio, the Executive Board of the North Central Florida March of Dimes, the Volunteer Service Bureau, the United Way of Marion County, the Community Concert Association, and the Canine Companion program which named one of its dogs “Duggan”.

Tam helped found the Leadership Ocala Program of the Ocala Marion County Chamber of Commerce.  She served on many Chamber committees, including hosting the New Teachers Breakfast and the Scholarship Night for high school seniors.  Tam led Brownie and Girl Scout troops and was a Take Stock in Children Mentor.

Her love of reading led her to be involved with the Reviewers Book Club and served twice as its president.  Tam was also a volunteer reader in the public schools.

Tam helped start PROJECT EAGLE, a river clean up sponsored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.  She was vice-president of Keep Florida Beautiful and a board member of the Governor’s Energy Office.

Tam was appointed to the Fifth Judicial Nominating Committee, and she was a Fifth Judicial Circuit Pretrial Mediator.  She also served as a poll worker on election days, which she enjoyed because she could see so many friends.

In recognition of her exemplary service to the community, Tam earned the J.C. Penney Company’s Golden Rule award, had the 1989 Brick City Festival dedicated to her and was recognized by the Ocala Rotary Club with the Service Above Self award.

Tam was a terrific cook, loved hosting parties, lunching with friends, and traveling the world.  A great wife and mother, Tam has left her family with countless sweet memories that will forever be cherished. 

A drop-by visitation will be held at Heirs-Baxley Funeral Home, 910 E. Silver Springs Blvd. on Saturday, February 25, from 1:00 pm. to 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to your favorite charity, the First United Methodist Church of Ocala, the Marion County March of Dimes, Take Stock in Children, or Hospice of Marion County.