Marion L. Duffy

Marion L. Duffy, 107, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, formerly of Wellsville, New York, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, February 17, 2024.

Marion was born on July 8, 1916, in Cuba, New York, to the late Herbert and Marie Green. She was a member of the greatest generation. She experienced the Great Depression, 2 Worlds Fairs (Chicago 1933/34 and NYC 1939/40), World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, the Moon Landing, 9/11 and so many more world events.  She saw the development of indoor plumbing, television, cell phones and the internet just to name a few.  She loved the United States and was governed by 19 different presidents from Woodrow Wilson through Joe Biden, the last 16 of which she prayed for daily.   

She spent her formative years in Friendship, NY, where she graduated from Friendship High School and met her future Husband, Basil Duffy.  She graduated from the School of Commerce in Rochester, NY and began her secretarial career at Eastman Kodak in Rochester. 

In 1939, Marion married Basil Duffy. Over the next 16 years she was a homemaker and stay at home mother to her three sons, David, Dean and Peter, in and around Wellsville, NY. Once the boys were older, she went back to work as a secretary for the State of New York for 10 years before they moved to Chicago, Illinois.  They lived in the Chicago area for 14 years where she had a fulfilling career as a secretary in the insurance industry with Factory Global Insurance Company. While in Chicago various of their 8 grandchildren would come and spend weeks with them.  Those were some of the greatest weeks of the grandchildren’s young lives.  

Upon retirement they returned to Wellsville, NY and continued to entertain their grandchildren on a regular basis.  They spent time traveling around the United States and abroad including Switzerland, Austria, France, Germany, Spain, and Jamacia. For 10 years they spent the winters in Mesa, Arizona and after the death of her husband in 1998 she spent 12 winters between Arkansas and Jamaica.    

In 2012 she moved to Goldsboro, NC to be closer to more of her family. While in Goldsboro she continued to travel to visit family and attend events in all her family’s lives.  Her last airplane flight was in 2018 to attend the 50^th Wedding Anniversary celebration for her son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Jessie in Geneva, NY. She was a fiercely independent woman, operating her car until she was over 106 and living without assistance until she was well over 107.   

Marion's life was colored by her love for playing Bridge, a passion that brought joy and camaraderie. She was a member of the Monday Club in Wellsville, NY, played with the Mesa, Arizona, Hot Springs Arkansas and Ocho Rios, Jamaica Clubs when visiting those places. In 2013, she began playing with the Goldsboro Bridge Club at the Senior House and most recently at Coors Pharmacy. She was so happy to have been accepted by the Bridge players in Goldsboro and thankful for their support.  She enjoyed their birthday celebrations of her for the past 7 years.   Her last bridge game was in October 2023.  She was 107 years and 3 months old. 

She was raised a Baptist but married a Catholic. She raised her boys Catholic and faithfully attended mass throughout her life with her Husband.  Later in life she became a Catholic and while in Goldsboro attended mass at St. Mary Catholic Church.  

Marion's remarkable life journey led her to touch the hearts of all who knew her, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion. 

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her sons, David Duffy and wife Janet of Morehead City, NC and Dean Duffy and wife Jessie of Hall, NY; 8 grandchildren, Shelby Benton and husband Neal of Goldsboro, NC, Rick Duffy and wife Tiffany of Anaheim, CA, Jamey Duffy and wife Tammy of Clinton, NC, Darby Brach and husband John of Easton, MD, Dean Duffy and wife Jenn of Gurnee, IL, Laura Nelson and husband Keith of Vienna, VA, Chris Duffy and wife Karen of Houston, TX, Monica O’Donnell and husband Frank of Doylesburg, PA; 24 great grandchildren; and 17 great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Marion was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, Basil Duffy; her son and daughter-in-law, Peter and Mary Duffy; and a great grandson, Nick Brach.

The family is very appreciative to the 5 caregivers, Gwen, Nicki, Lucky, Betty, and Jo, that rendered care for Marion from November 2023 until her passing.  They treated her with love and respect and provided guidance to her family during this difficult time.  We consider them family as well.   

A memorial mass to honor Ms. Duffy’s life will be held in July at St. Egbert’s Catholic Church in Morehead City, NC. She will be laid to rest privately at Gethsemane Memorial Park.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.