Lavada Marie Duffy

LaVada Marie (Ford) Duffy the daughter of Francis and Lois Little Ford was born October 31, 1930, in Harvey Iowa. She attended school in Bussey, IA and graduated from Bussey High School with the class of 1948.   Marrying C. Tim Duffy on June 25, 1949 in Lovilia, IA.   LaVada continued her education at Simpson College and Drake University graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.  She continued her education at the University of Northern Iowa obtaining her Master’s Degree in 1978. LaVada taught for 22 years at St. John’s, St. Augustine’s, Rice and Monroe Elementary all in the Des Moines area.  Her students were very important to her and she sought to be the best teacher and role model.  She retired from teaching in 1991. She was most proud that all six of her children graduated from college; she had 1-3 children in college for 22 years. She always encouraged and supported those that were dealing with difficulties in their life; be it providing a shoulder to cry on or a helping hand to lift their spirits.   She enjoyed reading, playing cards, crocheting and cooking the big Duffy Holiday meal for over 30 people, but “the kitchen closed” after serving so you better be there on time!  She raised six children without a driver’s license by making many treks to Dahl’s and Place’s to pick up groceries/supplies.    LaVada passed away on the morning of September 29, 2016 at Calvin Communities in Des Moines, IA where she and Tim had been residents since 2014.  She was preceded in death by an infant daughter Maureen; parents Francis and Lois; brothers Robert, Delbert and Phillip.   LaVada is survived by her husband of 67 years Tim; her children, Tim (Gina), Terri (Mark), Debbie (Charlie) John, Patrick, and Bob (Charlsey); 13 grandchildren, Kerri (Mike), Aaron (Emily), Kady , Justin, Kim (Taylor), Chad, Jannae (Keith), Brent (Kelley), Cortney (Chad), Amy, Erin (Jay), Matt and Emily; 16 great-grandchildren; and her siblings Ernie and Joe Ford. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM with a Rosary starting at 7:00 PM at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at the Basilica of St. John. Burial will follow at Resthaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Carlisle.