HOULTON – Lucy Ann Duff 51, died Feb. 23, 2006, after a brief illness. She was born Dec. 21, 1954, the eldest daughter of Arnold C. and Viola (Cassidy) Duff. Lucy graduated from Houlton High School, Class of 1973. She completed four years at the University of Maine at Machias, graduating with a 4.0 average and a bachelors of science in early childhood education. While enrolled at Machias, she was active within the student community as well as a member of the Kappa Eta Sorority affiliated with the Fraternity of Kappa Delta Phi. Immediately following her 1977 graduation from University of Maine, Machias, she returned to Aroostook County to begin her 20 plus years of a long and prosperous career in education. Lucy started her career with MSAD No. 29 school district at the Wellington School located in Monticello. Shortly thereafter she returned to her alma mater, St. Mary’s Parochial School of Houlton as a title I tutor. She remained at St. Mary’s until it’s closing and made the move to the Houlton Elementary School where she taught as a reading recovery teacher, until the time of her death. Lucy loved teaching. She often stated that she always loved the smell of the school at the beginning of each new school year. She especially loved seeing the faces of all the new students as well as any that were returning. Lucy was at her best when she was with children. As much as she loved her students, Lucy loved her family more. She was godmother to her youngest sister, Julie and an aunt to Heather, Kristen, Kimberly, Sarah, Patrick Arnold and little Helen Marie; great-nephew, Nathan; and great-niece, Abigail. Lucy was a wonderful sister and an amazing friend. In times of reflection she would state that sometimes a big family could make an individual very selfish, as one never had to reach too far for companionship, moral support and/or a shoulder to lean on. She was the consummate peacemaker and more often the moral compass for many that she might have encountered. She reveled in the fact that the true joy of life was all about the true joy of the ride. Lucy is survived by her mother, Viola (Cassidy) Duff; two brothers, Michael and his wife, Karen, of Oregon, Joseph and his wife, Brenda, that of whom she considered to be an extra special friend, of Houlton; five sisters, Susan “Suzie”, Mary, Molly and Julie “Jules” Duff, Polly Hebert and her husband, Todd, all of Houlton; a special cousin, Laurie Jipson; her faithful companion, “Maggie” the dog; several aunts, uncles and cousins; as well as two very special friends of the heart, Leanne Faulkingham and Robert Cowperthwaite. She was predeceased by her father, Arnold C. Duff; her maternal grandparents, Lucy and Henry Cassidy; her paternal grandparents, Hazel and Kenneth Duff. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Monday, at Dunn Funeral Home, with the Holy Rosary being held 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Tuesday, at Saint Mary of the Visitation Church. A celebration of her life will be held at Saint Anthony’s Hall immediately following the Mass. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Lucy’s memory to MSAD No. 29 Reading Recovery Program for new books for the Houlton Elementary School Library or charity of one’s choice care of Dunn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 127, Houlton, 04730.
LUCY ANN DUFF
