"I feel very fortunate to have had Miss Duffy as a 3rd grade teacher in 1958/59 at Jefferson. She was an amazing teacher with an infectious smile and laugh. Both of my sons were also her students at Jefferson in the 80s and 90s. My condolences to her family. God bless."
In loving memory of
Geraldine E. Duffy
October 21, 1929 - July 22, 2017
A funeral Mass for Geraldine E. Duffy was held at St. Cecelia Catholic Church, Algona with Father Edward M. Girres officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Algona.
Geraldine Elizabeth Duffy was born October 21, 1929, in Whittemore, daughter of William Patrick and Kathleen Ruth (Deneen) Duffy. She grew up in Emmetsburg graduating from St. Mary's High School in 1947. She then attended Briar Cliff College for 2 years and then began her teaching career.
Geraldine taught beginning in Rock Rapids and then in 1951 in Jefferson. She moved to Mason City in 1954 teaching until her retirement in 1994. Throughout those years, she obtained her Bachelor Degree in education from Drake University in 1956 and her Master's Degree from Mankato State University in 1973.
Gerry very much loved teaching. She was a lifetime member of the Iowa Retired Personnel Association, the Phi Delta Kappa international sorority of teachers, the Mason City Education Association, the Iowa State Education Association, and the National Education Association. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mason City and later in St. Cecelia Catholic Church in Algona. She was also in many prayer and rosary groups, was a member of the Kossuth County Rite to Life, and the Marian Group.
Geraldine E. Duffy died Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Palo Alto County Hospital, Emmetsburg at the age of 87. She had been a resident of the West Bend Care Center for the past 3 years.
She is survived by 12 nieces and nephews; and a brother, Patrick Duffy and his wife Linda of California. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Mary Kay Jameson; and brothers, Joseph, William, and Michael Duffy.
Tributes
"Miss Duffy was and always will be one of my favorite teachers. I'll never forget my first day of class with her. You see my family had moved from California to Mason City in the middle of winter in 1969. She totally welcomed me into her class and made me feel like I had been there all year. What a gem of a lady you were. I am so fortunate to have had you in my life. I even majored in English because of your influence. My deepest, heartfelt sympathies to your family. You will always be remembered for your laugh and love for your students. "
"Miss Duffy was my all time favorite teacher; she was my 4th grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary in Mason City in the late 1960's. She had the best and biggest laugh and was always dressed so fashionably with her matching 'dangling' earrings. I aspired to be be just like Miss Duffy when I grew up. Forty some years later, I teach young children. She will live in my heart forever. Dawn LeWarne Quimby Edina MN"
"Miss Duffy was my favorite teacher in elementary school. She instilled in me a love of reading, of learning, and of being unafraid to ask questions...in 4th grade, and since then. I will always be grateful for her enthusiasm and her love of teaching."
"My condolences to Miss Duffy's family and friends. I share the appreciation expressed by Scott Sandage below, as we were in most of the same classes all through school. My memories of Miss Duffy always make me smile -- her expansive personality, her love of teaching, her enthusiasm and how she, like so many other wonderful teachers at Jefferson elementary, exemplified great teaching -- moving children to want to learn by making learning fun. I feel fortunate to have had such a wonderful educational experience as a youth. She will long be remembered for the positive impact she made on so many of us."
"Mrs. Duffy was my 4th grade teacher in the '80s. I have many fond memories of her enthusiasm for teaching, her beautiful swirling hand-writing on my papers, and her hilarious, infectious laugh. I remember that she would ask us to work out our frustrations by telling the class about a problem, and then "pounding the pillow". She left an amazing legacy through her 40 years of teaching. "
"Gerry was my colleague at Jefferson for 14 years. She was a professional teacher and loved her fourth graders. I am sorry she had such a hard time in the last years. Carol Iverson"
"Miss Duffy was my 4th Grade teacher at Jefferson - those days at Jefferson were some of the most important learning experiences of my life - if I remember correctly she lived by the Willson Foot Bridge. My condolences to her brother and family."
"We are deeply saddened to hear of Geraldine's passing. She was a special person in our lives at Mason City. Our 4 boys truly loved her and treasured their memories of her over the years. I'm sure our son Tom, who is deceased was there to meet her at the "Holy Gates". His daughter has the school desk from her room. Rest in peace Miss Duffy. You are loved. Our sympathies to the families. Bless you."
"Miss Duffy taught the Wilson brothers at Jefferson Elementary School from 1967 to 1974. We all remember her fondly. She had a special bond with our brother Tom. When he passed away in 2010 Gerry could not attend but she asked her nephew to attend Tom's funeral for her. We were very honored to have him with us that day. We also remember that she let us chew gum while we took the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. She was great. Gary Wilson Kalispell, Montana "
"How do I begin to honor Miss Duffy. She was THE best teacher and I will never forget her as long as I live. She was the kind of teacher who made you believe you could do anything. I never realized this until I became an adult, but she was one of the most influential women in my life. I grew up in the day where women were only supposed to have certain jobs, definitely not careers in what we now call STEM. I now believe Miss Duffy lit a fire in me and I never looked back. She would tell me how smart I was and she nourished that every day of class. I remember how much she loved my beautiful penmanship. I still have my penmanship book from her 4th grade class. This book is one of my most prized possessions and now more so since she has passed. Her beautiful writing of praise in the margins. She is and always will be my favorite teacher ever. I remember her exuberant and vivacious love of life and love of children. OH and her laugh! Will never ever forget! Love you with all of my heart Miss Duffy, RIP and God Speed until we meet again."
"I'm so sorry to hear about Miss Duffy passing away! I remember her from Jefferson Elementary School in Mason City, Ia. I always liked her and thought she was a wonderful person and a great teacher! My sincere sympathy to her family! "
"Sending my condolences to the family. I was one of Miss Duffy's students. She is still remembered as my favorite elementary school teacher. She taught the 4th grade at Jefferson in Mason City. I always stayed after school to help with classroom chores and we remained close even into the higher grades. She served to inspire me to always do my best and to focus on my strengths. I regret I am unable to attend her service. "
"Ms. Duffy was my 4th grade teacher at Jefferson in 1960 or 61. Of all the teachers I had in my life, she was one that I never forgot. She was such a good teacher and really liked us kids. I was blessed to have been in her class. Gail Patterson Hignight Durham, NC"
"My condolences to the family and friends of Miss Duffy. She was my 4th grade theacher at Jefferson School around 1960 and I appreciate the patience and caring she showed us all. I think of her often, even after these many years. Steve Escher Santa Rosa, CA"
"I worked with Gerry at Jefferson School and enjoyed her friendly, outgoing personality. She definitely cared about the students."
"Gerry Duffy taught fourth grade to both of my older brothers and me at Jefferson Elementary School. We all loved her and considered her our favorite teacher. (We loved our second grade teacher Mrs. Bates, too.) I am grateful every single day for Miss Duffy (who had perfect handwriting that I still remember vividly) and all my other elementary teachers. They were strict but so much fun, and they made us learn things like long division, penmanship, and grammar. I am a college professor now, so I've had a lot of education since leaving Mason City, but no schooling has been as fundamental and influential in my life as what I learned from Miss Duffy, Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Winger, Miss Wessels, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Hansen, Mrs. Colby, Miss Dougherty, Miss Govern, Mrs. Petersen, Mrs. Schram, Miss Becker, Mrs. Davis (the librarian), and some I must be leaving out. I remember and feel grateful to them all, but there was never anybody like Miss Duffy!"
"My heartfelt sympathy to the family of Gerry Duffy. I met Gerry when I was a kid as she taught school with my mother (Georgia Bates) and were very good friends. We had a lot of fun spending time with Gerry and going out to eat with her. We always stopped to see her in Algona on our way to Ruthven Iowa to see my MOM and DAD's family.. So sorry for your loss Patrick and family, she is so missed. Margie Bates Milbrath Mason City Iowa"
"I met Gerry Duffy while working as a school psychologist in Mason City. She was very dedicated to her students and brought a great deal of enthusiasm into the classroom. I'm sure that she positively impacted many, many young lives."
"I remember Miss Duffy from Jefferson Elementary. She was a wonderful teacher and a beautiful person. You could tell she loved children. Miss Duffy touched so many lives and will be missed by many. "
"So sorry for your loss. Duffy as my mom called her were best friends at the care center. She sat beside her bedside when she was dying. She loved my lime pickles. I have lots of good memories with the two of them and the visits we shared. "
"Geraldine was a very dear cousin. I have many fond memories of sharing good times with her and all of her family. I'm glad I was able to visit with her at the care center in May when I was in West Bend for another cousin's funeral. With love and prayers, Alice Miller Hicok, Waterloo, IA "
"I met Gerry at the West Bend Care Center when my mother was a resident. What a wonderful lady! My mother was almost blind, and Gerry was so kind to her. She would read the menu for her, and help her with her order. I visited Mom every Tuesday, and had we shared some very special memories of teaching. She was loved by all my family. "
"I am sorry for your loss. I will miss her very much. In 3 years she had become a very important part of my life."