Obituary of Emilie R. Duffy

ILION – Emilie R. Duffy, age 89, of Jefferson St., Ilion, passed away peacefully, on Sunday, July 17, 2022, at her home, with her loving family by her side. She was born on September 4, 1932, in Herkimer, the daughter of John and Ruth (Halloway) Yavornitzki and graduated from Ilion Central High School. Emilie was married to Joseph L. Duffy, on June 18, 1955, at the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion. She was employed as an operator at the New York Telephone Co., in Ilion. She later worked at Wardles Pharmacy, in Ilion. Emilie was a devout member of the Church of the Annunciation. Surviving family members include her loving husband, Joseph; her 5 children: Debra Richards, of Richfield Springs, NY; Diana Duffy and David Koepsel, of Los Angeles, CA; Gregory Duffy and his wife, Pam, of Macedon, NY; Jana Mula and her husband, Pat, of Fairport, NY; and Joseph Duffy and his wife, Samantha, of Webster, NY; 7 grandchildren: Ryan Richards and his fiancée, Lea Dela Cruz, Kyle Richards and his wife, Elana, Lauren Richards and Brett Best, Greg Duffy and his wife, Caroline, Julie Duffy and partner, Jeremy Mancus, Michelle Zaccaglino and her husband, Tony, and Kelly Beisheim and her husband, Andrew; 3 great-grandchildren: Cohen and Halle Richards and Emma Zaccaglino; her sister, Diane Stubley, of Ilion; her brother, William Yavornitzki, of New York Mills; her sisters-in-law: Marilyn Yavornitzki, of Doylestown, PA, Marie Duffy, of Ilion and Anna Duffy-Pickering and her husband, John, of Ilion; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother, John Yavornitzki; her brothers-in-law, Thomas Stubley, Francis Duffy and James Duffy; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ann and William Lucey. To know Emilie was to love Emilie. If you saw Emilie once, she’d catch your eye with her beauty, but if you knew her well, she would capture your heart. She was poised and handled every moment with grace. It didn’t matter if you were a part of her close circle or someone she met that day, Emilie had a knack for making everyone feel special. She carried that warmth with her everywhere she went. Emilie was a lot of things to so many people: sister, aunt and friend. However, the role she was most proud of was Mom. Her love for her children was unconditional. She dedicated her life to raising a family which was her passion and is her greatest life’s legacy. The values that she instilled were passed on to the next generation, her pride and joy, her grandchildren. Emilie and Joe lived in adventure, devotion, and above all else, unity. No matter the obstacle, Emilie and Joe would prevail together. A true love story that spanned 67 years. We would like to include deeply profound sympathy from a cherished family friend in Ireland of 50 years, Father Patrick Mangan. Emilie’s family would also like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to all of Mom’s special angels sent from above which made it possible for Mom to stay in her home. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location, at 102 West St., Ilion. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 21, 2022, at the Church of the Annunciation, Ilion, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Paul Catena, Pastor and concelebrated by long time family friend, Father Terence Healy. Burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, North Ilion. Anyone wishing to share a memory of Emilie, or add to her online memorial, may go to www.applegateandday.com In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home. Emilie’s service arrangements are entrusted to her Family Funeral Director and friend, Don Applegate.