Yvette T. Duffy, 83, of Vero Beach, passed away on March 14, 2014.
She is survived by her husband, Edward Duffy; children, John Duffy and Karen Minicozzi (James); sister Jeannine Coutu; brother Gerald Bergeron; and her much adored grandchildren, Colleen, Margaret, Nora and Jack Duffy.
Duffy was the beloved wife and full life partner of Edward R. Duffy for 62 years.
She was born and raised in New Hampshire, and spent more than 15 joyful years as a winter resident of Grand Harbor in Vero Beach.
A lifetime learner and accomplished professional, she graduated with honors from the University of New Hampshire where she was an enthusiastic member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
Following their marriage in 1951, she accompanied her husband on assignment in Italy and Japan where she immersed herself in the languages and cultures while also having three children. Returning to the US, they settled in Vienna, Va., where Duffy pursued her passion of teaching young children.
For 19 years she taught kindergarten in Fairfax County, first at Fairview Elementary in Fairfax and then at Flint Hill Elementary in Vienna, leaving a legacy of hundreds of students whose minds she helped shape.
A lover of the arts, she also volunteered at Wolf Trap for many years. Retirement brought the opportunity to enjoy Florida and become an avid golfer, including the rare accomplishment of making a hole-in-one. Always curious, she enjoyed genealogy and technology and, using tools of both, traced her ancestry back to 17th century France.
A Memorial Service and celebration of her life will be held Friday, March 21st at 2 p.m. at the Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads, 3440 S. Jefferson St., Falls Church, Va. In lieu of flowers, donations are graciously accepted to the Goodwin House Foundation www.goodwinhouse.org/goodwin-house-foundation.
