Submitted by: Dan Rich

Ann L. Duffy

Aug. 15, 1913 - May 1, 2008

South Bend Tribune 5/3/2008
MISHAWAKA - Ann L. Duffy, 94, passed away on May 1, 2008, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Ann was born to Matthew and Magdaline (Stassak) Penas. Going before her was her husband, Elmore J. Duffy, who died in World War II, and her daughter, Dianne Marie Wilson, who died in 2000. Ann's life was a blessing to those who knew her, and there are many family members who survive to remember her. Ann has two grandsons, William Leigh (Catherine) Wilson, an attorney in South Bend, and Christopher M. Wilson, a neurologist in Indianapolis. Two great-grandchildren, Nicholas Marley Wilson and Emma Rose Wilson, and their mother, Kimberly L. Wilson, all of Indianapolis also survive Ann. Her son-in-law, William Lee Wilson also survives, along with his wife, Barbara M. Wilson. Ann's family in Illinois, Shirley (Andrew) Eckel of Pontiac, Illinois, and Mary Lou (Richard) Senko of Streator, Illinois, Michael James of Bloomington, Illinois, along with their mother, Marcella B. James of Streator also survive her. Her niece, Sharon Bruggeman of Iowa and her nephew Robert James, of Streator passed away before Ann.

We are certain that those who went before welcomed her with open arms. Ann spent most of her life in Streator, Illinois. She worked as a registered nurse in hospitals and at the Owens glass factory at the time she retired. She moved to South Bend in the mid-1970s and lived on Brandel Avenue for many years. She later moved to the New London Lake condominiums, where she enjoyed making more friends and getting to know her neighbors. In 2002, she moved to the Waterford, in Mishawaka. Ann's love of God was reflected in her strong faith and participation in the parish of Little Flower Catholic Church in South Bend. She regretted not being able to attend Mass there more often over the last few years, as going out became more difficult for her. Fortunately, she was able to attend her last Mass at Little Flower on February 23, 2008, which was celebrated in memory of her daughter, Dianne. So many people were glad to see her, and the Little Flower staff and parishioners will miss her greatly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Little Flower Catholic Church on Monday, May 5, 2008, at 10 a.m. Her family and friends will welcome visitors for one hour at the church prior to the Mass. In light of Ann's love for her faith community at Little Flower, Ann's family requests that those wishing to honor her memory consider making a donation to the church to help reduce its debt. After ninety-four years, it is hard to summarize our grandmother's life in a few paragraphs. She loved everyone in her family and treasured her friendships. She cared for us in so many ways, baked far more Christmas cookies over the years than anyone could ever count, and we will miss her very, very much.