Nancy Duffy

Nancy Duffy, 95, of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2025. She was born in San Francisco, California, on November 11, 1930, to Kamazo Ogasawara and Ren Toki Sudo Narita.

Like many Californian Japanese Americans, Nancy was interned with her family during WWII. Despite that unfair treatment, Nancy became a member of the United States Naval Reserves after completing her education at Bowling Green University. She also worked as a social worker and executive secretary before becoming certified as an elementary school teacher and school librarian where she worked for more than 20 years serving the students of the Virginia Beach Public Schools.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William "Bill" Duffy, retired Navy Master Chief, with whom she shared a lifetime of adventure. She will be laid to rest beside him in their final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery, with service details to be announced as they become available. Nancy was also preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Waterman; her son, Dennis Duffy; and her parents.

Surviving Nancy are her daughter, Susan Cooper Smith; daughter-in-law, Sandra Duffy; son-in-law, Barry Waterman; grandchildren Megan, Kevin, and Caty; and her sister, Frances Ogasawara.

Nancy and Bill lived a life full of movement and joy. Well into their 90s, they traveled the country in their motorhome escaping to Florida each year, visiting loved ones in Maryland, and visiting many places around the country.

At home, Nancy was surrounded by the many dogs she loved throughout the years, the sounds of Jeopardy!, The Price Is Right, or tennis drifting through the house, and the excitement of cheering for her beloved Redskins. She enjoyed video games with her grandkids and was very skilled at sewing and knitting.

Services have been entrusted to Altmeyer Funeral Home.

Arrangements for her inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia will be announced once scheduled.