Margaret D'Agostino Dunnigan

Margaret M. "Peg" Dunnigan, 80, former director of public affairs for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, died of multiple organ failure May 4 at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. Mrs. Dunnigan, then known as Margaret D'Agostino, worked at FEMA from the time the agency was formed in 1979 until her retirement in 1992. She previously worked for the General Services Administration and the U.S. Fire Administration until it was absorbed into FEMA. She was born in Utica, N.Y., and graduated at age 18 from St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. She worked in radio until she married Louis J. D'Agostino in 1950. After his death in 1962, she worked for the Ford Motor Co., the New York Hilton and the New York State Department of Commerce. She moved to Washington in 1970 to work for the Department of Commerce, beginning her federal career. In retirement, Mrs. Dunnigan volunteered with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Yacht Haven Garden Club, the American Horticultural Society, the Mount Vernon Country Club and the Neighborhood Friends of Mount Vernon. For several years, she was chairman of the George Washington Birthnight Ball. She was also chairman of the Art-for-the-Heart Ball to benefit Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. She was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Mount Vernon. Survivors include her husband of 13 years, Thomas J. Dunnigan, of Mount Vernon; three children from her first marriage, L. James D'Agostino of McLean, David A. D'Agostino and Anne Shingler, both of Mount Vernon; four stepchildren, John Dunnigan of Dallas, Claudia Conway of Woodbridge, Ralph Dunnigan and Leo Dunnigan, both of Mason, Ohio; and 11 grandchildren. Funeral services were held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mt Vernon Highway, Alexandria, VA 22309. Interment in Utica, NY.