Doris Elizabeth Duke

1928 - 2025

Doris Elizabeth Duke
Doris Elizabeth Duke, of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, passed away on February 21, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on October 26, 1928, to John Louis and Muriel Fae Ficarra. Growing up, she was very close to her Dad and he would take her to the shooting range as a young girl. She was his whole world. Doris graduated from Medford High School in 1946.
At fifteen, Doris began dating the love of her life, George Melvin Duke ("Duke"), and they went on to marry on February 4, 1950. Doris and Duke enjoyed many trips to Maine over the years, they loved their many outings deep sea fishing on "The Dutchess." Doris and George went on to have three children, Kathleen, Barbara, and Marjorie. She worked at Jordan Marsh in her young adult life, while Duke worked as a safety engineer for Combustion Engineering, which led to their move to Windsor Locks, Connecticut in 1964.
Doris enjoyed a cup of coffee with family and friends and frequently had a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee in hand or a pot of tea on the stove. If you were lucky, you may have received a creation of Doris' as a gift from one of her many crafts, which she enjoyed doing with her grandchildren.
She and her sister, Sandy Riley, enjoyed spending time together in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. The two had a very close relationship and spoke on the phone frequently, and Doris always looked forward to receiving a letter from her sister, a joy which continued through the end of her life.
Doris always valued being around her family and cherished when the family could all be together. Gathering everyone for the holidays, especially Christmas, was so important to her, and went on to be a tradition that her children continued over the years. She was incredibly proud of her daughters and grandchildren, attending everything from dance recitals, graduations, and weddings. She always loved celebrating each accomplishment and important moment.
She was predeceased by her parents, Louis and Muriel; as well as her husband, Duke. Doris is survived by her three daughters, Kathy and her husband Edd Latham, Barbara and her husband Michael Votta, and Margie and her husband Michael Murdock; her sister, Sandy Riley, and brother-in-law Bob Riley; her grandchildren, Danny Kulas, Laura Rancourt and her husband Michael, Katie Murdock, Danielle Peterson and her husband Jacob, and Samantha Murdock, two great-grandchildren, Brayden and Jackson Rancourt; as well as their grandfather, Thomas Kulas.
Doris left a final note to her loved ones and said in her own words reflecting upon her life, "it was a pretty good run," and reminded her family of her "great kids, mine and grandchildren."
As per her specific request, services will be private.