Obituary of Geraldine B. Duffy

Geraldine B. Duffy, 84, of Freehold Township passed away at home on Sunday, September 15, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.  Gerry was born and raised in Wilmington, DE and had lived in Michigan and Tennessee before settling here in 1974 to raise her children.  She worked as a Patent Law secretary in Wilmington, DE for Connolly, Bove and Lodge and later as a special education teacher and crossing guard for the Freehold Township Board of Education.  A woman of faith, Gerry was a parishioner, a eucharistic minister, a CCD instructor and a member of the Welcome Committee at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine.    Her hobbies included arts and crafts and cooking.  Gerry was giving of her time, spending time at Freehold Area Open Door and also as the team mother for the Freehold Falcons soccer team volunteering her time for 12 years scheduling practices, transportation to games and practice, and providing fresh sliced oranges for the boys.  

Gerry was predeceased by her father, John Lazarczyk; stepfather, Ben Jankowski; mother, Mary Jankowski; sister, Marlene Horgan; and her brother, Johnny Lazarczyk, Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, John P. Duffy (Jack); sons, John P. Duffy, Jr. and his wife, Sue and Kevin Duffy; daughter, Karen Duffy; grandchildren, Tyler and Brendan Duffy; and step grandchildren, Jack and Charlotte Murray.

Gerry’s love of life and care for all those whose lives she touched was boundless. Her greatest joy, aside from dancing, came from giving her time and talent to others, especially the young students she cared for and taught in special education.

The family is very grateful for the care and compassion of her caregivers over the last several years.

Kim, Chantelle, Karlene and Melicia provided many hours and days of outstanding care for Gerry. Even in her pain and suffering, Gerry found a way to love each of them very much.

We are also very grateful for her friend Marlene, her best friend since high school. Gerry looked forward to Marlene’s daily uplifting calls of encouragement and love.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to gather at 9:30 AM on Monday, September 23, 2024 for the procession to her 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township.  Entombment will follow in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold Township.  For those that cannot attend in person, the family invites you to participate via Webcast, HERE. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Geraldine’s name may be made to the Co-Cathedral of St Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold NJ 07728 or Salesianum High School, 118^th & Broom Streets, Wilmington, DE.   For information, directions or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com