Obituary of Donath Patterson Tuggle

Donath ‘Donnie’ Patterson Tuggle, age 66, died on January 31 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, following a brief illness. She was the wife of William C. Tuggle whom she dated in high school and married in 1982, and the daughter of John K. and Phyllis D. Patterson of Hilton Head. In addition to her husband and mother, she is survived by two sisters and their husbands: Polly (Bryan) Shiraishi of Kent, Washington, Jill (Gabe) Buzas of Chicago, Illinois, and three nephews, their wives and children: Kyle (Katie, Kai, Karter) Shiraishi of McKinney Texas, Cory (Karissa, Theodore) Shiraishi of Kirkland Washington, and Kirby (Jian) Shiraishi of Kapolei, Hawaii.

Donnie attended grade and high school in Bernardsville, New Jersey with the exception of completing grades three and four in Woldingham, England and grades seven through nine in a French speaking school in Saint-Martin-du-Vivier (Rouen), France. In high school, Donnie developed a love for drama productions and sports and had the distinction of being the first woman officer of the Bernards High Varsity “B” Club, where she was a team manager of the cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams.

Donnie was graduated from Denison University with a B.A. in English and French and from Northeastern University with a M.A. in counseling. She was a 32-year employee of Bank of America and predecessor banks, serving in positions in Human Resources and Corporate Communications in the Providence, Rhode Island area. Upon retirement, she and Bill moved from Portsmouth, R.I. to Hilton Head Island.

More recently, Donnie enjoyed learning about ancestral peoples and ancient civilizations while traveling abroad and in the United States, and visiting wine appellations wherever they could be found. She was an avid hiker and especially enjoyed the challenges of Western US National Parks. Her well researched travel itineraries showed her desire to maximize every day.

She enjoyed good food, wine, entertaining at home, walking the beach and bike paths of Sea Pines, and participating in fitness classes at the Sea Pines Country Club. She was also an avid reader.

As the organizational ring leader for her family, she brought style, fun and occasional silliness to those around her. She will be missed tremendously.

A Memorial Open House will held on Thursday February 9 from 1 to 4 at the Tuggle Residence. Please send donations hospice care of the low country.