Dianne C. Horan-Duffy

Dianne Catherine Horan Duffy, 88 of Dunmore, Pennsylvania passed away Sunday, March 22 at St. Mary's Villa, Elmhurst PA. She will reunite with her beloved husband and the love of her life, Brian R. Duffy who departed this Earth in 2005.

Born in Scranton, PA to the late John and Catherine Horan she is also preceded in death by her brother Richard Horan of Palo Alto, California. Dianne is survived by her sister Mary of Archbald.

Dianne is also survived by her love and legacy of seven children, thirteen grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Her children and their spouses are as follows: E. Christoper Duffy and wife, Eileen of Blairstown NJ; Robin and husband Peter Auth of Summerville SC; Shannon and wife Colleen of Andover NJ; Timothy and wife Mary of Andover NJ, Matthew of New Haven CT; Bridgid and husband Daniel Lorson of Dunmore and Williamsport PA; K. Rose and husband Dennis DelRocco of Bridgewater NJ.

Grandchildren are: Shane Patrick Duffy, Margaret Rose and husband Ben Drake; Erin Elizabeth and husband Stephen Zanetti; Brendan Thomas Auth and wife Kristen; Brian Robert Duffy; Katherine Marie and husband Neal Baron; Shaun Katherine and husband Zachary Harski; John Owen Duffy and wife Victoria; Patrick Joseph Auth; Taylor DelRocco; Shawn DelRocco; Benjamin Lorson and Paige Lorson.

Great Grandchildren: Robert David Auth, Finley Brendan Auth; Owen Zanetti; Elijah Zanetti; Celia Zanetti; Lily Mae Baron; Nora Rose Baron, Connor James Baron; Angel Duffy.

She also has numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dianne is a graduate of South Catholic High School in Scranton, and an Alumnus of Marywood University in Scranton PA, where she received a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, Elementary Education and Special Education in 1959. Dianne also returned to university for her master's degree in special education from The William Patterson College in the late 1970s.

Upon her marriage to Brian in 1959, she moved her life to East Orange, New Jersey and finally settled in Andover NJ, where she raised her family at Lake Lenape.

Dianne devoted her life to championing the underserved of the special needs community. She was a Special Education teacher of preschool aged children at Horizon School in Allamuchy, NJ and in Newton NJ. She then went on to become the Director of Special Education, Sussex County Educational Services in Newton, NJ which served special needs and disabled children from birth through age 21. She was also a teacher for older children in this program. She loved teaching, specifically for special needs children. Her students and their families loved Dianne, and she still received cards and Christmas gifts in recent years. Her philosophy was that every life has value and she strived to give all their dignity and a full education.

Upon her retirement from teaching, Dianne volunteered with United Cerebral Palsy teaching special needs adults who need to use a liberator to speak. She also volunteered for Serving Seniors of Lackawanna County PA and was an Ombudsman for AARP. Finally, Dianne also served on the Marywood University Alumni Board of Directors.

Dianne loved to sing. She was a member of the Good Shepherd RC Church Choir in Andover, NJ and in later life was also a member of the St. Anthony of Padua RC Church choir in Dunmore PA (where she was a parishioner). Dianne also danced as a young person throughout her early 20s with various ballet companies in Scranton PA. Dianne enjoyed traveling with her family and husband, especially to Ireland and Wales.

The Duffy family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all of Dianne's caregivers, especially her daughter, Bridgid Mary Duffy Lorson, her devoted primary caregiver, whose love and dedication sustained her mother in her later years. They also wish to thank all of Dianne's children and grandchildren for their unwavering and loving care, as well as the compassionate caregivers at home including Kristen Sklareski Auth and all the staff at St. Mary's Villa in Elmhurst, Pennsylvania.

The funeral will be Friday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home, Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith St., Dunmore.

Interment, St. Catherine's Cemetery Moscow.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home.