Submitted by: Dan Rich

Margaret E. Doran

March 13, 1928 - Feb. 12, 2008

South Bend Tribune 6/4/2008
SOUTH BEND - Margaret E. "Peggy" Doran, formerly Margaret E. McLaughlin, passed away on February 12, 2008, in VNA Hospice House, Vero Beach, FL. Her husband, John P. Doran, who was formerly of South Bend, preceded her in death on June 27, 2005. Born in Roundup, MT, in 1928, Mrs. Doran was the daughter of William John McLaughlin, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1918, and Mayme Jarrett McLaughlin, who was born in Cokedale, MT. After attending schools in Montana, Mrs. Doran had a varied work career. In 1946 she was secretary to Senator Tom Stewart. From 1949 to 1951, she was secretary to the Montana State Superintendent of Schools, followed by a secretary position to the president of Montana State College, Bozeman, MT. From 1951 to 1953, Mrs. Doran served as secretary to the U.S. Special Economic Mission in Manila, Philippine Islands. During her return to the States, Mrs. Doran traveled to Hong Kong, Bangkok, New Delhi, Rome, Beirut, Paris and Dublin before her return to Manila. From 1953 to 1956, she was secretary to Montana Attorney General Arnold Olsen, departing his office in 1956 for a private sector job in San Francisco. Moving to Washington, D.C., in 1961, she became secretary to Congressman Olsen, then personal secretary to Montana Senator Murray. Finally, in 1962, she accepted a position with Montana State Senator Lee Metcalf's office and was named his administrative assistant in 1977.

In 1978 Mrs. Doran retired and married John P. Doran in Washington, D.C. Mr. Doran was Regional Postmaster General for the United States Postal Service at the time, and they resided in Chicago, IL, and Arlington, VA, until his retirement in 1982. In 1985 Mr. and Mrs. Doran moved to Fort Pierce, FL. Both were active in the Democratic Party, the North Beach Association, the Sea Palms Condominium Association, and were parishioners of St. Anastasia Catholic Church. Surviving family members include three stepdaughters and their husbands, Kathleen and Robert Yarnell, Green Valley, AZ, Patricia and James Rodgers of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Maureen and John Cowan of Birmingham, AL. Her grandchildren are Jennifer Yarnell, Dayton, OH, Timothy Yarnell, Chicago, IL, Courtney Fletcher, Washington, D.C., Jonathan Rodgers, Washington, D.C., Jack, Michael and Mary Cowan of Birmingham, AL; a brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Geraldine Doran of South Bend; a sister-in-law, Sister Gabriella Doran, CSC, of St. Mary's, Notre Dame, IN. Nieces and their husbands are Karen and Ralph Skagen, Roundup, MT, Becky and Jay Swanson, Bouse, AZ, Diane and Bob Casper, Roundup, MT, Anna Marie Doran and Mary Margaret Doran, both of Indianapolis, IN; nephews and spouses are Kenny and Darlene Golob, Lewistown, MT, Joe and Karyn Doran of Mishawaka, IN. Catherine Golob predeceased Mrs. Doran in 2000.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 7, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, IN. The family will receive guests one hour prior in church. The family requests that memorials be made to VNA Hospice House, Visiting Nurses Association of the Treasure Coast, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. The Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, is assisting the Doran family will all arrangements.