Annette Cook Duffy
March 31, 1938 – June 30, 2021
Born to Anna Belle Myers Cook and Tom William Cook on March 31st, 1938, east of Ponca City, OK, in a Community called Bois d’Arc, during a blizzard, her beginnings spoke of overcoming obstacles with due diligence and determination. She skipped a grade, achieved numerous awards for her citizenship and academic achievements throughout school. While attending Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma, Annette met, courted, and then married Donald Duffy on May 31,1959. They lived in Goodwill, Norman, (a short stint in California where Annette decided librarian rather than school teacher suited her better), Stillwater, mostly University towns in Oklahoma. Edmond was home in 1969, where she lived in the same house and raised her two children, Jane Annette Duffy and Michael David Duffy.
Education defined the path of Annette. She attended Ponca City public schools 4th through 12 grade; graduated from Central State College in May, 1959. Annette received her Masters of Library Science from University of Oklahoma, 1967. Following her divorce in July 1976, she returned to library work and continued education, flirting in computer programming of FORTRAN, COBAL, etc, and achieved a Certificate of Advanced Study at OU, August 1987. Working in various libraries spanning 1967-1997, including Bethany, OSU-OKC, and lastly at OSSM, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (teaching talented juniors and seniors from all over our state). She retired in 1997 to spend more time with grandchild, Alex, her light and hope.
Annette Duffy was a member of Southern Hills Christian Church, participated in the Disciples Women Group, lending her time and talent to causes given to serve the people of her community, church, and world. Her informal Narthex Sunday School group discussed world and faith issues with love.
Pre-covid, Annette attended early water-aerobics, followed by Panera for coffee in a lively and lovely society of friends who participated deeply in enjoying life to the fullest, thus carrying a bond to admire through difficult times. Among her special friends she listed Beverly Spreche, Ruth Ann Young, Pat Fennell, Joyce Primo, Kay Boies, Sue Cunningham, Elenor Still, Donna O’Keefe, Connie Holiman, Mary Wishon, Jo Kirtley, Linda Koch, Georgia Ebeling, the entirety of the 7:30 am water aerobics class and instructors, and so many more…
Annette is survived by her children, Michael David Duffy and Jane Annette Duffy; her grandson, Alexander Elliott Duffy; two brothers and their families, Chris and Sara Cook, Ponca City, OK; Bill Cook and Linda Stack, Spring Branch, TX; and Betty Cook of Boise, ID. Annette was preceded in death by her parents and her oldest brother, Larry Dean Cook of Boise.
Annette, with her audacious sass, to-the-point analytical mind, generosity, and pragmatic advice will be sorely missed by her friends and family. She asks to be celebrated at her funeral with colors, stories, laughter and the knowledge she rests with joy in our Lord’s peace.
Funeral service Friday July 16, 3 pm.
Southern Hills Christian Church
3207 South Boulevard, Edmond, Oklahoma 73013
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made by check to SHCC Weekend Breakfast Ministry (serving breakfast and sack lunch on weekends to those in need) at the above address with designation in memo line to “ Annette memorial, breakfast program”.
Donations also encouraged to the awesome OSSM, Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics.
https://www.ossmfoundation.org
We have lost a dear friend
Joyce Wall & Amy Wright
I knew Ms Duffy from her librarian days at OSSM, where I was a student in the CO ‘93. She was also one of the staff whom I met prior to applying to OSSM when she was doing community presentations for the school recruitment. She was always kind, caring and joyous. My condolences to her family.
Thank you., I know she touched many lives….
Also an OSSM graduate, class of 95. I will remember her for her warmth, her generosity, her wit and our shared love of coffee. Cannot say how much she was appreciated.
Annette was one of God’s gifts to us all who knew her. She Kept us all on our toes . That is for sure . I will surely miss my Jeopardy friend and what we shared by liking and learning from this program. she was loved by many and will be missed by all
Sorry to hear of Annette’s passing, may she rest in peace.
Jane and Mike,
We are so sorry that your mom has passed. Your family was a real help to us when our husband/dad was in Viet Nam. You all were great neighbors and friends. We are sorry that we won’t be able to attend the services but we will be thinking of you and all the extended family.
Mrs. Duffy (could never manage to call her Annette) was the best friend and neighbor one could ever hope to have. From the first gift she ever gave my son – an American flag bike bell – to gift cards from her beloved Panera, she was always so thoughtful and generous. I loved her spunk and how she was always interested in what was going on in our lives. She didn’t beat around the bush, especially if my call was interrupting a show she was about to watch. One of my favorite things was to send my kiddo over with fresh flowers for an occasion or just because. I would usually get a picture later showing me how beautifully they were arranged or how nicely they were holding up. The neighborhood will not be the same without her presence, but she will always be in our hearts. Love you and miss you, Mrs. Duffy!
Such a sweet woman. Only knew her a short amount of time, but she was precious.