Leah Ethel Duffy,
Antigonish, died 3 December 2024 at the RK MacDonald Nursing Home, on
the Feast of St. Francis Xavier.
Born in
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, daughter of Leo and Mabel (nee
Doyle) Duffy. She attended St. Joseph’s Convent School.
After graduation, she attended Prince of Wales College, Charlottetown,
PEI. She worked in Charlottetown for several years, and in 1952 moved
to Antigonish and worked at St. Francis Xavier University,
Registrar’s Office, until her retirement. She was the
recipient of the first honourary X-Ring and in 1981, was awarded the
inaugural Paul G. Desmarais Gold Medal for Excellence. For over forty
years, Leah handled every parchment that left
StFX.
Leah was
quiet, kind, respectful and respected. She treated everyone with the
same grace and integrity she had for family. Students, faculty and
staff knew who to ask if they needed an answer and who to look for
when a problem arose. A lover of a good book, a long walk (solo
because no one could keep up with her), lunch with her sister Frances,
a cookie, and summers with her family on ‘the
island’.
Survived by
her sister Frances Baker, Antigonish, NS; Catherine (Donald) Doyle,
Bloomfield, PEI; Geraldine Martin, Brantford, ON; and sister-in-law
Sylvia Duffy, Dartmouth, NS; and many nieces and
nephews.
Predeceased by
her parents, Leo and Mabel; sister Marcella Murnaghan, Charlottetown,
PEI; brother Leo ‘Jack’, Dartmouth, NS;
brother-in-law Raymond Baker, Antigonish, NS; Pius Martin, Brantford,
ON; Loyola Murnaghan, Charlottetown, PEI.
Leah and her
family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at the RK
MacDonald Nursing Home for their many kindnesses. A special thank you
is extended to Dr. Michelle Murphy for her warmth and gentle care over
many years.
Arrangements
under C. L. Curry’s Funeral Home, 135 College St.,
Antigonish. As per her wishes, cremation has taken place. There will
be no visitation. A mass will be held at St. Ninian’s
Cathedral on Monday, 9 December at 9 am. Plans for a celebration of
life are undecided. Burial will take place, at a later date, in the
Catholic Cemetery (St. Dunstan’s), Charlottetown.
PEI.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever
things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians
4:8