Susan L. Duffy

Susan Lorraine Duffy, 78, of Milford, passed away on September 11, 2023. Born on June 9, 1945 in Bridgeport, CT, she was the daughter of the late James J. and Lorraine (Preece) Duffy.

Susan graduated from Laurelton Hall with the class of 1963. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Connecticut State University and her master’s degree from Fairfield University. She also studied at Columbia University. Prior to her retirement, Susan taught first grade for the Milford School System for 35 years, originally at Walnut Beach School and later at Simon Lake and Calf Pen Meadow. She was loved by students and parents for being a caring, concerned teacher who formed friendships that continued beyond her first grade classroom.. She attended recitals, sporting events, graduations and even weddings of her former students. For many years after retiring, she was also a well-loved substitute teacher in several Milford schools.

In 1986, Susan and a group of individuals with OCD, founded the Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation in New Haven. Its mission was to educate, to provide assistance to individuals and their families, and to support research into causes and treatments. Susan attended many conferences in the US and Canada as a board member of the Foundation. She was always open and available to anyone looking for assistance with this disorder.

Susan’s wide circle of friends included her co-workers, her former students and their parents, and people she met anywhere she went. She was admired for making connections with people and never forgetting how she knew them. She once recognized a kindergarten classmate in an airport fifty years later! Susan loved to travel to Florida, the Caribbean, Europe, and especially Ireland. She found special joys going to the casino, scratching lottery tickets and eating a good cheeseburger.

Susan is survived by her family who lovingly cared for her: sister Kathleen (Patrick) Thibadeau; nephews, James (Jennifer) and Kevin (Susan); great nieces and nephews, Finn, Lorraine, Blake, and Anne; and many cousins, extended family members and friends. She very much appreciated the love and support of Margaret Glendon and Beth Maroney. Special thanks to Dr. Michael Cohenuram, Dr. Nicholas Blondin and their wonderful support staff. Additional thanks to the wonderful staff at Carriage Green for all they did and to Caring Hospice, especially Kitty.

Friends and family may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at the CODY-WHITE FUNERAL HOME, 107 BROAD ST., MILFORD, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023 at Saint Gabriel Church (Saint Raphael Parish) 26 Broadway, Milford, CT (MEET DIRECTLY AT CHURCH). Interment will follow at Saint Mary Cemetery, Buckingham Ave., Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hole in the Wall Gang Camp at holeinthewallgang.org or Milford Food 2 Kids at milfordfood2kids.org.

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