Lasting Memories
Gertrude Elizabeth Duffie
Jan. 30, 1928-Sept. 19, 2017
Palo Alto, CA
Gertrude was the ninth of 15 children of Cornelius Kingston and Katherine O’Shea. She was born in Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada, and raised near the village of Trout Brook on the Northwest Miramichi River.
After Teacher’s College, she taught school in Black’s Harbour and later married Darrell Duffie in 1951. They settled in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where they raised four children.
Gertrude was a respected member of the local art community and studied painting under Molly Lamb Boback and Fred Ross. Her oil paintings and tapestries are part of numerous public and private collections throughout Canada. She received the Distinguished Citizen Award from the City of Fredericton in 1986, and an honorary degree from St. Thomas University in 2004.
Starting in the 1990s, she and Darrell wintered in California to spend time with family. After Darrell’s death in 2000, she moved permanently to Palo Alto, where she continued painting occasionally and became an active member of the local duplicate bridge community.
She is survived by four siblings: Cornelius, Kitty, Terry, and Suzanne; by her four children: Frances, Darrell, Jr., Malcolm, and Kingston; daughters-in-law Denise and Elizabeth, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as cousins, in-laws, and friends too numerous to count. She died peacefully surrounded by family.
Oct. 4, 2017
Kingston, I just saw the obituary today in the Cleaner. We're back in Canada for a short while. Diane and I send our sincere condolences. God bless.
Sept. 25, 2017
To The Duffie Family: Frankie, Darrell, Malcolm, Kingston, Denise, Liz and families, Please accept my sincere sympathy on the passing of your dear mother, "Gertrude". In your time and in your own way with friends and family beside you, may you find peace and comfort. Hold close to your hearts the cherished memories of your mother to help sustain you and ease your sorrow in the difficult days ahead. Love and Prayers, Ann McGrath
Sept. 22, 2017
Dear Darrell, Frankie, Malcom, Kingston, Denise Elisabeth and family, While words fail to capture the pain of losing a loved one, it is time to be together, to share memories, to comfort one another. Gertrude was a lady, a precious mother, grandmother you all cherish so much. We will all miss her and the good times together. For me, it was a privilege to know her and share time with. I will never forget her gentle voice. May God sustain you at this sad time. Love Sara and Bob Alderman