Nancy C. Duffy

Nancy C. Duffy, of Crystal Lake, passed away September 5, 2024, at the age of 89.

She was born May 8, 1935, in Chicago, the daughter of the late Paul and Helen Fischer.

Nancy grew up in Park Ridge, attending Maine East High School, and she wanted to study nursing at one of the best nursing schools in the Midwest. In 1956, Nancy said, “Yes!” to the handsome young Iowa man whom she’d met just three months prior while she was a nursing student at the University of Iowa. Nancy and Emery married a year later, just 3 months after she graduated, and they began their blessed life together. They moved to Savannah, GA where Emery attended law school and Nancy started work as a nurse and then transitioned to teaching nursing. Along came three healthy, energetic kids and Nancy managed to juggle career and family. Wanting to be closer to their parents, Nancy and Emery moved the family to Illinois, and Nancy helped establish the 2-yr RN program at Harper College in Palatine. She completed her Master of Nursing at Northern Illinois University and as a nursing professor she educated many Chicago area nurses, several of whom she encountered in her health journey over the years. They had a common message for her, “You were tough, but I sure learned a lot from you.” 

After she retired, she enjoyed volunteering at the Crystal Lake Food Pantry and for Meals on Wheels, and she loved being part of the St. Thomas women’s auxiliary. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and baking Toll House cookies. 

She had a long, happy life and a peaceful passing. Who could ask for more? 

Nancy is survived by her beloved children, Stephen (Mary) Duffy, Kathleen (Paul) Massat, and David (Ellen) Duffy; her beloved grandchildren, Erin McAnally (Mason), Matthew Duffy, Daniel Massat, Grace Massat, Jennifer Duffy, Jonathan Duffy, and Michael Duffy; and wonderful nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her precious Lulu, the senior kitty who managed to convert this dog lover to a cat lover, too. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her cherished granddaughter, Laura, and her beloved brother, Wayne. Her adoring husband, Emery, preceded her in 2018.

The funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake. Burial will follow at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery, Palatine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.