Louise C. Duffy

Louise C. (Case) Duffy, age 86 years, died in her Walpole, Massachusetts, home on Monday, July 22, 2013. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, on September 1, 1926, she was the daughter of the late William and Sabina (McDonough) Case. Lou grew up in a close and loving family and was devoted to her parents, Bill and Bina Case. The family left their Jamaica Plain apartment each summer and went to "camp," a rustic cottage on Lake Maspenock in Hopkinton, where they swam, rowed on the lake and enjoyed each other. She talked often of her wonderful parents and their devotion to each other. She graduated from Jamaica Plain High School with the class of 1944 and later graduated from Massasoit Community College in Brockton, Massachusetts, with her Associates Degree in Social Work.

As a young woman, Lou took painting lessons; she gave her paintings to several family members, who still have them. She loved to dance, especially with her husband, Bud.

The most important thing in Lou's life was family. Once she and Bud married and settled down, her focus was raising their three children, Bernie, Laura and Chris, and creating a happy home. They moved to Walpole in 1958. The Duffy house welcomed everyone: family, friends and neighbors. Lou's smiling face was the symbol of a home that was often full of aunts, uncles and grandparents relaxed in the sunny living room or crammed into the cozy breakfast nook while their kids played in the yard. Nothing made Lou happier.

The kindness and generosity that Lou learned from her parents and siblings shaped her. Throughout her life, Lou helped others. As her children grew older, she was employed as a social worker, working with elders and mentally retarded adults. She began he career at SNARC in Westwood, and later retired from HESSCO in Sharon in 1991 with 10 years of service. When she lost Bud in 1991, Lou made the difficult adjustment to living alone. She stayed in regular touch with her children, sisters Sally and Stella, sister-in-law Marie and close friend, Joanne.

Her Catholic faith was an important part of her life. As her wonderful neighbors on Charles Street and Beacon Street know, she loved taking walks, whatever the weather, and handing out lollipops to their children. We will all miss her smile and kind spirit.

Beloved wife of the late Bernard J. Duffy, Jr. Loving mother of Bernard W. Duffy of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Laura C. Duffy of Newtonville, and Christopher W. Duffy of Frisco, Texas. Cherished grandmother of 7 and great-grandmother of 2. Sister of Sally Patten of Randolph, Estelle Fettig of Framingham, and the late Wilson Case. Also survived by her closest friend, Joan Gavin of Quincy.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Louise's Life Celebration on Thursday, July 25, 2013 from 4-7 PM and Friday, July 26, 2013 from 9-9:30AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home 48 Common Street Walpole. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole, on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 10AM. Interment will be in Saint Francis Cemetery, Walpole. Memorial donations may be made to: Walpole Council on Aging, 135 School Street Walpole, MA 02081.