Gale Dugan

M. Gale Dugan, 88, passed away peacefully in her apartment at Forest Hills of DC, in Washington, DC, on December 4, 2023.  She was born March 20, 1935, in Penn Yan, NY, the daughter of Charles E. Dugan and Edith (Larsen) Dugan.  She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from Antioch College in 1957, and earned a master’s degree in Congressional History and Legislative Process from Catholic University in 1983.

Dugan served as director of congressional affairs at the U.S. Office of Government Ethics for six years (1991-1997) and prior to that as senior legislative liaison at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (1977-1990).  She was instrumental in shaping the landmark Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 that restructured federal personnel management and created OPM, for which she received the Commissioner's Award for Distinguished Service in 1978.  She began her career in Washington as an aide to U.S. Rep. Paul Findley (R-IL) in 1967, having worked previously at Harvard College in Boston.

After her retirement in 1997, Dugan served as a volunteer docent at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington, DC, often heralded as one of the best guides of the property once belonging to Marjorie Merriweather Post.  She was a longstanding member of Women in Government Relations, the Audubon Naturalist Society and the American Association of University Women.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother, Yates County (NY) Judge Frederick D. Dugan, all of whom had deep roots in the Penn Yan community.

She is survived by nephew Michael (Claudia) Dugan of Wayne, PA, niece Elizabeth Dugan of Washington, DC, niece Margaret Dugan of Barcelona, and a great-nephew and three great-nieces.

A private service is planned in Penn Yan, with interment to follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery.  Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008.