Harlene M. Duffy

On Monday, November 28th, Harlene M Duffy, passed away in Yuma, AZ at the age of 85. She was born on August 15, 1937, in Davenport, IA, the daughter of George Edwin and Katherine Marie Secoy . She is survived by her two children, Michael E. Garcia (Joanne) and Kathleen M. Groves from her first marriage to Eugene A. Garcia from 1953 to 1965 residing in Savanna. Harlene later married James B.(Jim) Duffy and they enjoyed 40 years together until his death on September 18, 2006. For the past 15 years Harlene enjoyed a close relationship with her friend Richard (Dick) Bennett from Sacramento, CA. They spent time together each winter in Yuma, AZ in addition to an annual trip together for several years to visit friends in the Fiji Islands where they built some very special relationships.

After they retired Jim and Harlene wintered in Yuma, AZ where Harlene was living full time the last few years of her life. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, December 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna, IL. Father Doyle will be the Celebrant.

Harlene is also survived by her younger brother Jerry Secoy (Marcia) of Davenport, IA, their daughter, Harlene’s niece, Anne Myers and her daughter Emily. Harlene is also survived by her granddaughter, Alexandra Toomey (Garcia) and her grandson, Andrew Garcia.

Harlene spent the majority of her life in Savanna and has enjoyed many friends and activities in and around the extended community. She loved to dance and from her youth could always be found in attendance at the annual Fireman’s Ball and other venues providing music and fun until she was unable to do so physically. She loved to play a variety of games with family and friends, but she was an avid euchre player and enjoyed playing in the local euchre tournaments for many years. She was active in her church and various local organizations such as the VFW and Moose Hall.

Harlene had a variety of work experiences, but she was especially talented as a seamstress and worked both locally in Savanna, then later in Clinton, IA doing garment work. That talent was not lost at home either as she made mother daughter outfits for herself and her daughter when she was young, coats and other clothing for both her children, and later created some beautiful formals for her daughters high school dances and proms. She was very creative and always involved with crafts of various kinds and often helped with The Catholic Daughters annual bazaars and luncheons.

After her children were grown and out on their own, Harlene went back to school and graduated with an associate degree in accounting.

Her family and friends loved her very much. She will be dearly missed.