Shirley Mae Duff (nee Powell) passed away on February 26, 2023, at the age of 88. Shirley was born on October 31, 1934, in Glenside, PA, to Ethel Nash Powell and Charles J. Powell. She spent her childhood in Glenside, often at the home of her doting grandmother, Alberta Mae Nash. After graduating from Abington High School in 1952, Shirley attended Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA, where she served as student body president and received many honors. She earned her BA in Education in 1956.

On September 8, 1956, Shirley married the love of her life, Thomas Byron Duff. They met in first grade and dated throughout high school and college. Shirl and Tom were married for 64 years before his death in 2021.

They moved often for Tom’s career and Shirley’s main focus was always providing a loving home for Tom and their two sons. She was an active volunteer in their communities in Fort Knox, KY, New Jersey, and Dallas, TX.  She served on PTA boards, including as President, taught Sunday school at their churches, and always volunteered in local endeavors.

Then, after a short time in La Habra, CA, they moved to Naperville, IL, in 1975 and resided there for the next 37 years. In Naperville, Shirley was active with the Naperville Heritage Society where she was one of the Weed Ladies and where she and Tom chaired the annual antique show.  She was also active in the PEO Sisterhood and at Grace United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and where she and Tom were members of the Questors class. Shirley was an avid gardener, a gifted amateur artist, an enthusiastic bridge player, and a cherished friend to all who knew her.

In 2012, Shirley and Tom moved to the Houston, TX, area to be nearer family.  In 2017, they moved into The Crossings in League City, TX, where they spent their final years. The family will be forever grateful for the happy times spent there and the loving care they both received from the staff at all different levels of care.

Family was everything to Shirley. She is survived by two loving sons, Thomas Duff, Jr. (Diane) of Houston, Texas, and James Duff (Julie) of Rochester, Minnesota. She is also survived by four beloved grandchildren:

Thomas Duff, III (Samantha), Stephanie Gumpf (John), Ted Duff, and Emma Duff. She will also be remembered by her three great-granddaughters, Ava Duff, Lyla Duff, and Beatrice Gumpf.

Shirley will be laid to rest beside her husband at Houston Veterans Memorial Cemetery during a private family service.

If desired, the family requests that donations be made to the Naperville Heritage Society at https:napersettlement.org/221/Memorial-and-Heritage-Tribute-Gifts or checks may be sent to The Naperville Heritage Society, 523 South Webster Street, Naperville, IL, 60540, attn: Juliana Nelligan, Director of Development or to a charity of your choice.