SYLVIA (SUNNY) DUFFY

Sylvia (Sunny) Duffy passed away Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, surrounded by her family, at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont.
She was born May 27, 1932 in Thunder Bay, Ont. and was raised in the Thunder Bay area.
Sunny met Cecil Duffy and they were married on Aug. 11, 1956. They recently celebrated their love and devotion to each other with their 55th anniversary.
While raising her children, Sunny worked at various jobs over the years. She always found work that would allow her to interact with people and add that extra loving touch.
Sunny was extremely creative, and loved to knit, craft, sew, and cross-stitch.
In 1988, Cecil and Sunny returned to Fort Frances for their retirement. She became a long-time member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and the Catholic Women’s League, and also was a member of T.O.P.S. and the Red Hat Society.
The many friends she had made will remember her warm, fun-loving personality, kindness, and sense of humour.
She leaves behind her husband, Cecil; children, Barbara and husband, Ron Johanson, Bev Thomson, Larry and wife, Nicole, Terry and wife, Wanda, and Gerald and wife, Jennifer; grandchildren, Heather, Trish, Janelle, Amanda, Holly, Eric, Laurel, Mallory, Kendra, Sydney, Brandon, Avery, and Alexa; and great-grandchildren, Kurtis and Kyle.
Also surviving are her brother, Siinto Wataja and wife, Railli, and sister-in-law, Bertha Wataja; as well as a large extended family that was dear to her heart.
Her family will remember that she always welcomed them with open arms and a joyful smile.
Sunny was predeceased by her parents, Wainno and Jenni Wataja; sons, Kenneth and Leonard; brother, George; and son-in-law, Bob Thomson.
Friends were invited to join the family on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances for a rosary service.
A mass was held Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, with Fr. Francis Pudicherry officiating.
Cremation has taken place, and a private family interment was held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances.
The honourary pallbearers were Sunny’s grandchildren.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 501-200 South Syndicate Ave., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7E 1C9 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 920 Frenette Ave., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N4, or c/o www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com