Viola Ann Duffy

Newmarket, N.H. - Viola A. Duffy, 73, of Newmarket received her Angel Wings to go along with the Halo she's been wearing for the past 73 years, has passed away on Tuesday January 27, 2026, at her home with her husband by her side. She had fought a long and courageous battle with Ovarian Cancer for the past five years.

Vi was born May 16, 1952, in Fort Fairfield, Maine. She was the daughter of Earl & Rachel (Berube) Robidoux.

At an early age, her family moved south to the seacoast area and lived in Kittery, Maine for a short period of time before moving to Hampton, NH. She was educated in the Hampton School District at Hampton Academy and Winnacunnet High School.

Vi could be found after school days, working in one of her mothers Pizza/Sub shops in Hampton, Seabrook, Raymond and Newmarket.

After she finished school, she worked at Timberland Shoe in Newmarket for a few years. She worked in the Food Service Industry for a few years. She also worked as a clerk at a couple of convenience stores before she ended up going to work at UNH in the housekeeping department. She worked there for 12 years before retiring in 2017.

Vi was one of seven kids in their family and every now and then, Vi would reminisce about her first five years of living at her grandparents, farm in Limestone, Maine that was on the Canadian border. She could remember doing things back then, like they just happened today. She had a very vivid memory.

Vi was an extraordinary caring person. She so often thought more of helping others, even when her own health was failing. She had a huge Heart of Gold. She had a wonderful smile and an infectious laugh. Vi was able to befriend almost anyone. She loved conversing, and with her huge loving heart, made others feel good about the day, or about themselves. Her selfless devotion to life and others, are a testament to the very warm and loving individual that she was.

There are approximately 250 complimentary adjectives in the dictionary that would describe Vi. She was all of them to so many people and more.

In early 1983, Vi met her husband, Jim. A year and a half later, they married on June 23, 1984. Because Jim played in multiple softball leagues, Vi would travel to games and tournaments and would meet many more new friends in her life and these friendships lasted until her passing. She would tell people that she was a "Softball Widow". But she loved it, and she loved meeting new friends.

Vi and Jim were married for 41 + years. In that time there was a tough time or two at the beginning, but because of Vi's deep conviction to make things work, their marriage became an even stronger bond of love and respect for each other.

During their marriage, Vi & Jim loved to plan their next year's vacation. Each year was a different destination, from Vegas, Niagara Falls, Florida, New York, Canada or on one of two different cruises that they went on. When asked, Vi would say, hands down (along with a smile), that the 1O day vacation she went on in 2018, was the best yet. They visited the Canadian Robidoux's in New Brunswick, then on to Prince Edward Island, then to Cape Breton and the final leg to Lunenburg, Nove Scotia. She was just so excited about the whole trip.

In her later years, she would visit as much as possible with her sister-in-law Elaine "Red" Robidoux (who Vi thought dearly of as a sister) and nephews Scott and Brad in Woodstock, New Brunswick. She loved going to visit the Canadian Robidoux's.

She also loved traveling up to Pittsburg, NH to visit her best friend and sister Tammy, her husband Bill and kids, including Nicole, BJ & Matt. These kids blessed Vi with two great nephews, John and Wyatt and a great niece Caroline, all of whom she loved so dearly. Because John and Caroline lived further away in Maine, Vi didn't get to see these two as often and she became smitten with Wyatt, who we called Vi's boyfriend. The family is thankful that facetime was able to allow Vi to see and talk to Wyatt because in the last month or so, Vi wasn't able, to travel.

Back at the end of October 2025, Vi & Jim were dealt a crushing blow when Vi's oncologist told them that there wouldn't be any more treatments because it wasn't working anymore. They were told to transition to Hospice.

On December 6th, Jim, along with some wonderful friends, Sherry, Sue, Michelle, Janice, Jim S, Melissa & Tom, Erika, Peggy, Billy D, organized a surprise "Celebration of Vi's Life" gathering for Vi while she was still with us. What a beautiful event it was. Vi was absolutely surprised to see two hundred wonderful friends and family come out to show their Love and Support for her. She was overwhelmed by it all. Vi would keep saying thank you to her husband and he in turn would keep telling her that, no thanks needed, because it was her life's work of doing so much for others that made all of this happen.

During Vi's five-year battle with cancer, Vi and Jim always had so much support from so many people.

Two special people were a constant in their lives during this time. Jim's sisters Cecelia & Cathy were always there. Vi & Jim will forever be grateful for their love and support through all of this.

Vi is survived by her husband Jim, mother Rachel, sister Tammy Jeralds, sister Pat Peterson, sister-in-law Elaine "Red" Robidoux, along with several cousins, nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.

Vi was pre-deceased by her father Earl, brother Bob, sister Earline & sister Debra.

The family would love to sincerely thank the following, for their care and treatment for Vi, the past 5 years:

Dr. Bregar from Brigham & Women's Hospital of Boston, along with the staff that treated Vi.

Dr. Covac Rauwerdink, Oncologist, from the Cancer Center of Exeter, NH Infusion Nurses, Becka & Lisa, from the Cancer Center of Exeter, NH along with all the staff that treated Vi.

Exeter Hospital, Exeter, N.H., Dr's, Nurses and supporting staff for years of special care they provided. Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home Hospice Care Nurses and staff who visited Vi during her transition period.

Jim and Vi's sister Tammy would like to send out a Special Thanks to RN Molly Welch from the Beth Israel Lahey Health at Home Hospice Care; Molly was Vi's primary caregiver during Vi's Hospice Care, and we can't thank her enough for her professionalism and special care as she comforted Vi throughout this difficult time. Molly was definitely, Heaven Sent!

Vi's wishes were that there would be no calling hour visits and that a private graveside service will be held at a later date in the spring.

If anyone would like to make, a donation, in Vi's name, it can be sent to the either of the following: Cancer Center of Exeter, NH or the Beth Israel Health at Home Hospice Care (both addresses are online).