Patricia MacGuigan

Patricia Alice Dougherty MacGuigan passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024. Patty was born to Sarah Jessie McChain Dougherty and Cliff Clark Dougherty Sr. on September 8, 1939, in Beaver, Pennsylvania. She was an Administrative Law Judge for the State Corporation Commission's oil and gas division from 2003 to 2021. Earlier in her career, she served as judge and presiding judge of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals from 1982 to 1991, assistant district attorney for Oklahoma County, and oil and gas litigation attorney for Kerr-McGee Corp. She graduated at the top of her law school class in 1975 from Oklahoma City University. She also held a B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and an LLM (master’s degree in law) from the University of Virginia. She was a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, and American Bar Associations.

She was a member of The Womens’ Lawyers Association, National Association of Women Judges, and Iota Tau Tau. She was named Woman of the Year in 1983 by the Business and Professional Women’s Association, as well as serving as Master of the Bench of the American Inn of Court XXIII in 1990. 

Her legal practice included working with The Kirschner Law Firm and McKinney & Stringer in Oklahoma City as well as Fraser and Beatty, a law firm in Ottawa, Canada.

One of the most rewarding things Patty ever did was volunteer with Lawyers for Children where she formed a relationship with Dee Ann Crook, then a young girl whom Patty mentored and adored through the birth of Dee Ann’s own children.

Patty was devoted to her husband Mark MacGuigan whom she married on December 26, 1986. They enjoyed travelling and living in Ottawa, Canada until his death in 1997 as they were relocating back to Oklahoma City. Patty and Mark shared five adult children: Mark MacGuigan Jr, Ellen Symons, Tom MacGuigan, Beth Robinson, and Buddy Robinson. She was a beloved mother to Sarah Elizabeth “Beth” Robinson and James “Buddy” McKee Robinson IV and grandmother to Jessie, Jack, Abby, Charlie, Lily, Willow, Margot, and Stella Robinson. Known to her grandchildren as “Guigan”, “Guigs”, and “Guigy” (often pronounced “Wiggan”, “Wigs”, or “Wiggy”), she was a playful and generous presence. She exposed them early to both travel and Heinz ketchup.

Patty loved animals, especially her dog Milady, and cats Chanel and Cinnamon. She loved horses. Always wishing she had one, she signed up to ride regularly for a period while living in Ottawa.

Patty was known for her sweet tooth. She loved La Baguette and Big Sky Cookies, where they knew her by name and order for many years. She also loved Grand Lake, especially when shared with older brothers Jim and Clark Dougherty. Patty deeply loved and respected her brothers, sisters-in-law Anne and Edith, and their children. Her many nieces and nephews enriched her life; she appreciated being a part of their events and milestones. Patty slalom water skied at the lake until she was 80. She did not enjoy snow skiing as much, even though she went every winter when her children were young so they could learn and love it.

Finally retiring from work she loved in 2021 at age 82, Patty continued to walk every day and loved regularly seeing her friends, being a member of “the lunch bunch” (fellow NW Classen High School and OU alums and Chi Omegas) and going to women’s AA meetings every Saturday. She looked forward to every symphony performance, having been a season ticket holder for decades. It's important to acknowledge and thank her dear friend, assistant, and driver Vincent Gonkate who made this possible. Vincent was a cherished companion as Patty maintained her independence, willfulness, and joy until her last happy night with family on Christmas Eve.

 After living an amazing life, it is her always-happy-to-see and hear from you spirit and enthusiasm that will be missed the most.

Gifts in Patty's honor may be made to the Oklahoma Humane Society or Oklahoma Lawyers for Families and Children.