Janice E. "Murphy" Duff

Janice "Jan" Duff

October 27, 1949 – February 6, 2026

Janice Duff-known to just about everyone as "Jan"-passed away peacefully on February 6,

2026, at the age of 76. Born on October 27, 1949, to George and Eleanor Murphy, Jan spent

her life growing things: her garden, her family, and the hundreds of children who passed through

her doors.

A Legacy of "Simple Things"

For nearly 30 years, Jan's home was the heart of the neighborhood. As a home daycare

provider, she wasn't just watching kids; she was raising them. She had a way of making the

simple things feel like a grand adventure. Whether it was a morning spent filling the bird feeder,

a walk through the woods to find the "perfect" leaf, or a trip to the local farm to pick berries, Jan

taught every child she touched how to slow down and see the magic in the world.

She was a regular at the local tag sales, always on the hunt for that next great find for the

daycare or the perfect, thoughtful gift for a birthday or Christmas. To the world, she was

"Jan"-a name even her grandkids used with a smile-but in her heart, she was the

quintessential Grammy to every single child lucky enough to know her.

Her Strength and Her Companions

Jan's later years were a hard-fought battle against Parkinson's. Even when things got tough,

she found her peace in the memories of her "daycare family" and the presence of her grandkids.

She was never truly alone, often flanked by her loyal dogs over the years-Murph, Luke, and

Mac. She loved those dogs as much as she loved anything in her life, and they were her

constant, wagging shadows.

Family

Jan's love and lessons live on through:

Her Children: Jim Duff; Chris and Melinda Duff; Mike and Jenny Duff.

Her Brother: Robert Murphy and his wife, Joan and their family.

Her Grandchildren: Caleb, Tanyon, Lucas, Lily, Paul and Juilianna

She is now reunited with her parents, George and Eleanor; her sister, Patricia Thompson; her

aunt, Frances Keene; and the many beloved dogs who surely met her with wagging tails.

Celebration of Life

The family will be holding a celebration of Jan's life by invitation in early April. Details regarding

the gathering will be posted on her Facebook page.

"The deepness of our sorrow and sadness is only paralleled by the deepness of love and joy

she shared in her life. If there is a heaven, you can bet she's got a big group of kids surrounding

her for story time or taking a walk outside to find the perfect leaf."