Dorothy Louise Duddy

1918 - 2013

RYE - Dorothy Louise (Barrett) Duddy, 95, a longtime Rye resident, passed away peacefully Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, surrounded by her loving family. She lived independently right up to the time of her brief hospitalization.

Dorothy was born March 10, 1918, in Waltham, Mass., the daughter of the late Ernest and Edith (Butler) Barrett.

She attended school in Waltham and upon graduation from South High School, attended Simmons College in Boston. Following graduation, Suma Cum Laude, she was employed by the college, and later worked in the Boston banking industry. She married Robert J. Duddy, also of Waltham, on October 29, 1949, and was part owner of two Waltham landmarks, the Moody Spa and The Ranch House restaurant. In 1972, the Duddys moved to Rye, converting their two room summer cottage into a beautiful ocean side home under Dorothy's direction.

Dorothy was the Chief Financial Officer, and later President of Interstate Tower Communications, a telecommunications business built on the vision of what would later become wireless communication. The business was sold to Motorola Corporation at the height of the development of cell phone technology.

She was also the co-founder of the Hampton Fuel Company, and together with her husband, Robert (Bob), developed the marine fuel facility at Rye Harbor. Dorothy was a very well-known and well-respected figure at Rye Harbor even at the time of her passing.

Dorothy passed the NH Realtors course in 1980.

She was very proud of her Barrett ancestry, and was a member in good standing of the National Society of Magna Charta Dames and Barons, as well as the Old Concord Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her personal connection to early American history created what would become a lifelong love of antiques. She greatly enjoyed reading of all genres, but especially historical biographies and was an accomplished knitter. Behind her sparkling blue eyes and ready smile was a keen intellect, a kind heart, and a generous spirit. She will live on through those whose lives she touched.

Dorothy was predeceased by her husband of 30 years, Robert; and her infant granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth.

She is survived by three sons, Rob and his wife, Nina, of York, Maine, Richard, and his wife, Sue Ellen, of Portsmouth and Ron and his wife Susan, of Concord; and two daughters, Jan Carroll and her husband, Michael, of Rye and Johanna Jackson of Durham; nine grandchildren, Richard Jr., Michael Duddy and his wife, Karen, of Portsmouth, Sarah Vaillancourt and her husband, Gregg, of Portsmouth, Scott Duddy and his wife, Ariel, of Simsbury, Conn., Sean Duddy and his wife, Margaret, of Boston, Jill Muir and her husband, CJ, of Hampton Falls, Jen Carroll and Pete Kirkland of North Hampton; and grandsons, Conner Jackson and Collin Jackson, of Durham; six great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces, and nephews; all whom she loved dearly.

There will be no visiting hours.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, Oct. 7, at 1 p.m., at Saint Theresa Church, 815 Central Road, Rye Beach.

Burial will follow in the Central Cemetery, Central Road, Rye.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited, with a reception in the Saint Theresa Parish Center following interment.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to an organization that provided Dorothy countless hours of enjoyment, the "Friends of the Rye Public Library", 581 Washington Road, Rye, 03870.

Please visit remickgendron.com to view Dorothy's memorial Web site, sign the tribute wall, or for directions.