Dolores H Duffy

Dolores House Duffy, 90, of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Endicott, NY was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away on August 26, 2022, at her home in Myrtle Beach. She was born July 13, 1932, in Lewiston, NY on the Tuscarora Indian Reservation. She was employed by IBM for many years before retiring in Myrtle Beach, SC where she found a second family of friends. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, Hugh Duffy II. She is survived by four children, ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren and one very special friend. Dolores' sons are Hugh Duffy III, and Patrick Duffy who is married to Mireya Duffy. Dolores's two daughters are Sheryl Jablonowski, who is married to Jeff Jablonowski, and Kathleen Angeline, who is married to Chris Angeline. Dolores special friend and companion for many years is John Semmens. A celebration of her life took place on August 28th in Myrtle Beach. Donations in her name may be made to Tuscarora Home School Council - 2015 Mount Hope Road, Lewiston, NY 14092.

Dolores was an active volunteer in the Myrtle Beach community donating much of her time to Mercy Care Hospice, Meals on Wheels, in-home therapy dog training and collecting and repairing discarded bicycles for local children. She was a fierce advocate for kids who had nobody to advocate for themselves. Dolores was active in many sports as a youth, skiing and playing point guard on the reservation's school basketball teams. She was selected as the 1958 Maid of the Mist, where her portrayal of the Maid of the Mist brought great credit to the Tuscarora Indian Nation. It is also the moment that Hugh Duffy II, who was working as a Niagara Falls policeman, first saw his future bride.

Dolores was a loving person, who made friends with everyone who crossed her path, and her glass was always half full. Books were her constant companion. Dolores had a fierce competitive streak that drove her throughout her life, whether it be bridge games with friends, hearts with her children, shooting horseshoes, competitive tennis up until 87 years of age, or ping pong with her grandchildren. Dolores' ping pong skills were legendary, particularly her cut serve. The ping pong table is where she would show no mercy to her grandchildren well into her eighties.

Dolores led by doing; and her guidance to her kids was simple with no excuses: do better than I did. She made it clear she was raised with very little but created a great family. Providing a college education for all four of her kids was one of her proudest accomplishments. She always said an education is something nobody can take away from you. Dolores loved to sew intricate quilts, solve daily crossword puzzles, watch the Wheel of Fortune, and collect antiques.

One constant in her life was her love for dogs. As a young mother she would oversee the breeding and delivery of multiple litters of English Bulldog pups. Dolores felt that it was important for her kids to learn by doing and raising puppies was paramount in the education of her children. Over the years, whether it be English or French Bulldogs, Labs or Pugs, her dogs were always there for her.

Myrtle Beach was where Dolores found a second home filled with tennis and bridge friends, as well as forged a special friendship with the second great man in her life, John Semmens. Dolores and John complimented each other perfectly whether that be a shared interest in tennis or traveling the world. John was a great friend to Dolores and will always have a place in the Duffy family.

The family would like to thank the intensive care and rehabilitation team at Grand Strand Memorial hospital for their compassionate care during Dolores month-long stay. They'd also like to thank all our family and friends for their support and prayers.