Kathleen Jeanette O'Kane Duff

Kathleen Jeanette O’Kane Duff KINGSTON- Kathleen Jeanette O’Kane Duff of Kingston, N.Y., passed away peacefully at her daughter and son-in–law’s, Patricia (Duff) and William Rudge’s home in Oliverea, N.Y. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2014. Born in 1925 in Dover, N.H. the daughter of Bernard D. and Evelyn V. O’Kane, Kathleen enjoyed an active childhood, developing her athletic skills at both the ping-pong table and on the basketball court, skills that she enjoyed throughout her life. She earned a nursing degree from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Providence R.I. and as a registered nurse she served in the U.S. Navy Nursing Corps, serving in several U.S. Navy Hospitals in the U.S. mainland as well as in Honolulu, achieving the rank of lieutenant and becoming chief nurse on Midway Island in the Pacific serving Korean War casualties. In 1954 she fell in love with and married the late Francis A. Duff, with whom she had six children who all survive her. They include Deborah Feth of Minn., Terrance Duff of N.C., Christopher Duff of Wash., Timothy Duff of Va., Patricia Rudge of Oliverea, N.Y. and Megan Mercado of Hurley, N.Y. In addition she is survived by 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; as well as her sister, Ann Whearty and her husband Tom of Needham, Mass.; and her brother, Donald O’Kane of Dover, N.H. Her brother Robert O’Kane and sister Bernadette Alie predeceased her. She was predeceased by her loving husband Francis A. Duff on Sept. 2, 2006. Francis Aloysius Duff was born in 1924 in Flushing, N.Y., graduated from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy and proudly served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. NAVY. Frank served in the last days of World War II and then again throughout the duration of the Korean War. When pressed about his war experiences he only would say, “Our LST had the most landings and retractions of any ship in the war.” That was our Dad; few words as to his accomplishments, and a total and absolute commitment to whatever it was he was involved in. Frank loved to tell stories, had the ability to laugh at himself, and was the kind of man who would stop and help change the tire of a stranger alongside the road. That’s just the kind of man he was. Among his many passions, Frank developed a love of fishing for striped bass during his years growing up on Long Island. He carried that love with him throughout his life, pursuing stripers on the Hudson River well into his retirement years. Illustrative of his love for this fish was the book “The Shinning Tides,” a novel by Win Brooks which he introduced to many an avid sportsman, including the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Fishery unit. In many ways this book reflected Frank’s personality where less is more, where people speak in few words, and where the landscape and ocean are characters in our lives as much as the people. Frank and Kathy Duff were a committed team in raising their six children. Sacrifices were made, challenges were met and life moved on. With the passing of their mother, all six children would like to acknowledge the love and achievements of both their parents. Asked many times what they thought were their greatest achievements in life, they unselfishly said, “Just knowing that all of you kids are doing well.” The entire family wishes