Obituary
Retired teacher and lifelong lover of children, Rosalyn (Rose) Carney Duff's life didn't come to an end with her death. Rose passed away on July 15, 2024, at the age of 101 1/2, from complications due to a fall that morning. Her love of life, kindness and giving ways will continue to be shared by her loved ones, who will honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Rose was born November, 11, 1922, in Dunbar, West Virginia, to Jonathan and Virginia Carney. She had 11 siblings. She was a product of the Great Depression. Her family life was filled with many examples of sharing with her siblings, not having many monetary possessions, but having richness in a big family that spent a lot of time together.
After graduating from high school in Dunbar, she met John Duff, Jr. They eloped in July, 1941, when he was 19 and she was 18. They went on to celebrate 77 more married years together until he passed in 2019.
Rose and John moved to Louisville, KY, where he attended the University of Louisville dental school. Rose worked at Voltee Aircraft company and also in a cigarette factory in town to help finance his way through school.
In 1950, they moved to Biloxi, MS, where John was stationed for a time at Keesler Air Force Base. In the late 1950's, they decided to move to Florida. He took a residency in Arcadia, FL.
During their time in Arcadia, Rose commuted to Florida Southern University in Lakeland, FL. She graduated with a degree in Biology Education. She attained a multi-level certification to teach in elementary through high school. In 1962, they decided to move to Brevard county, FL, home of the burgeoning aerospace business. They moved to Rockledge in 1963, to a house on the Rockledge Country Club golf course. This seemed a great fit, as they were both avid golfers and tournament winners. Rose had even broken 80 in her life.
She began her teaching career in 1963, at Rockledge Elementary. She then went on to teach at Cocoa High School, Anderson Elementary and Clearlake Middle School, where she taught for 18 years.
When her teaching career ended, she went to work for John in his dental practice, from 1989-2000, when he retired.
Rose is survived by her and John's four children, Jean Wilkes, Sue Husby, John Duff, III, and Jane Jollay. Also, by six grandchildren: Rachel Torda, Shannon Ledford, Hillary Lowe, Whitney Worthington, Claire Mayorga and Vanessa Jollay. She was also blessed with nine great grandchildren: Rose Torda, Abbie, Henry and Walt Ledford, Laura and Lila Lowe and Grayson, Julianna and Miles Mayorga.
To all of us, and to many children and adults outside the immediate family, Rose was simply and sincerely known as mom mom. And, it was in this role, as mom mom, that she seemed to find her greatest joy. Always the "teacher," she would guide all of us with a gentle firmness. She was the heart and soul of her house. Where we all loved to gather and enjoy meals, always prepared with loving care by mom mom and John, who was always known as paw paw. They especially loved cooking pinto beans, cornbread, greens and pork chops. True West Virginia cooking. Many a holiday was filled with family visitors, gathered around the kitchen table, carrying on lively conversations and fixing food.
Rose and John also loved traveling, and during all their years together, they saw Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Australia. The trip to Scotland was highlighted when they joined their Florida friends to play St. Andrews. They also traveled across the United States and Canada, often in John's Cessna 195, or in their RV.
Rose requested no funeral service. She was cremated and will be interred with John in the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL.
We love and miss you, mom mom.
Though my heart has grown heavy,
And doesn't quite feel the same,
It still beats with the tune of your memory,
And echoes with the sound of your name.
And never have I forgotten,
Whose blood runs through my veins,
Coursing through my heart and soul,
Where a part of you remains.
Author: Christie Starkweather