Duncan Driscoll Finigan
Duncan Driscoll Finigan, of Milton, age 59. Duncan Finigan passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 26, 2019 after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
Duncan was born and raised in Milton, the daughter of local pediatrician Robert Driscoll and his wife Mary Will Driscoll. Duncan was a graduate of Saint Mary’s of the Hills School, Fontbonne Academy and Boston College where she was both a varsity skier and tennis player. She spent many years working in the footwear industry, notably with Reebok and Stride Rite, as well as other companies. In her final years, after being hired as its first employee, she worked for Oofos, a recovery footwear company, which outside of her family, was her greatest passion.
She is survived by her husband Tom and their four sons, Alec, Cavan, Duncan and Will, her brothers Dr. Daniel Driscoll and his wife Elaine of Milton, Terence Driscoll and his wife Peggy of Milton, Mark Driscoll and his wife Tracy of Dedham, and her sisters Dina Nichols and her husband Jay of Shrewsbury, Betsy Goyette and her husband Robert of Milton, Deirdre Michelski and her husband Bob of Milton, along with seventeen nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Pius X, 101 Wolcott Road, Milton Friday May 31st at 10:00 AM. Family and friends invited. Visiting hours at the Dolan Funeral Home, 460 Granite Avenue, EAST MILTON SQUARE, Thursday 4-8 PM. Interment Milton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Duncan’s Pan Mass Challenge fund for the benefit of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 77 4th Avenue, Needham MA 02494, for the account of Duncan Finigan, DF0219 or please visit https://donate.pmc.org/DF0219.
Guestbook Entries
I will remember Duncan as a special teacher in my life….we met through our passion for the OOFOS Footwear brand and developed a friendship I will not forget. Both of us from a large family we talked over each mother a lot and then we taught each other to listen better and be powerful women in this world. Duncan only knew one speed and it kept her moving …..exercising to keep her legs strong as her body got weaker. She inspired many and will continue to inspire as everyone shared their memories of her. I love you Duncan.
To Tom, Alec, Cavan, Duncan, and Will and her sister’s and bothers and extended family …I am so sorry for your loss.💜💜💜
I am so fortunate and thankful to have known Duncan. I proudly worked directly under her for 2 years at OOFOS, where she constantly spread love, support, and encouragement to everyone she touched. Although I was a young, inexperienced employee, she treated me as a valuable member of the company, always prioritizing me as a person over work to be done- such a rare thing in the workplace. I know she treated every person she met with that kind of respect and compassion. Along with her kindness, I saw her strong passion for everything she did. I have never known someone to so perfectly balance such a fiery spirit with so much love, understanding, and grace. She was optimistic, yet real; excited yet calm; intense, yet sensitive and sweet. I will always aspire to be like her and to treat those around me the same way she treated me. I especially looked up to her example of faith in God, never wavering from Him during her fight with cancer. After 4 years of fighting, now she is fully healed and full of joy looking down from Heaven. I look forward to reuniting with Duncan after this life.
We first met Tom, Duncan and the boys at baseball games for Little League in Milton – from then on we were “baseball parents” and met up again when our sons played together at Colby. We sold hot dogs for fundraisers, shared tailgates, and laughed together. Duncan always had a positive attitude to help all the parents see the best moments in sports and life. That positive attitude carried her family through these past years and we know that her spirit will be with all her family and friends forever.
I was very saddened to hear of Duncan’s passing earlier today when I read Paul Fireman’s heart felt note. When Duncan and I spoke at a Reebok Reunion a couple of years ago she shared with me the details of her struggle and her resolve to win her battle.
It was truly a Duncan moment. I reminded her that what always impressed me about Duncan was her indomitable spirit and perseverance. As I assured her, I knew that if anyone could beat it, it would be Duncan. Sadly, her fight has come to an end far too soon.
In the early days of Reebok, we had no such position as an intern but she said it didn’t matter to her, she was willing to work for free because she believed in the brand and the mission. Eventually because of her commitment, passion and undying belief in the cause, we created a position that had never existed before. She
became one of those special people who embodied a spirit and fire that helped to made Reebok a success.
If anyone could over come adversity and move forward gracefully it was Duncan. Our last meeting was a “Duncan Moment.” I am reminded that Duncan was a true sui generis and someone whose spirit will live forever in her sons, her husband, her family and friends and all of us that were privileged to know and be touched by her. Duncan was a model of a life well lived unfortunately all too short. She will always be loved and remembered.
My life was touched by Duncan on a chance meeting at an intersection during PMC 2018. We had both stopped to wait for team members and started a conversation that will stay with me for the rest of my life. In the short time we spoke I was touched by this amazing woman. We met again on the party boat home when she noticed I was wearing a pair of Oofos and our conversation continued, we exchanged phone numbers and texts hoping to get together at the PMC this year. Seeing her with her adoring family was a tribute to the woman she was. I will ride with her in my heart this year and look for her in the clouds because I know she will be there in spirit. God bless you Duncan.