Obituary: ​Joan Sears Duda, 95, of Southbury

Information via Munson Lovetere Funeral Home

Joan Sears Duda, 95, passed away Friday, December 8, 2017, after bidding her family goodbye with a last smile. Born in New York, she was pre-deceased by her husband, Peter; her father, H. H. Sears, her mother, Florence Kate Sears; and her only sister, Betty McCabe. Joan wanted people to know that she was a member of the first Girl Scout troop in Southbury.

She lived and worked locally all her life. While supporting her husband’s business, Duda & Goodwin (DG Precision) she was also employed by Woodbury Savings Bank. She volunteered in the WFD Women’s Auxiliary; was a member of the Eastern Star; a deaconess at Woodbury Congregational Church as well as sang in their chancel choir and played with their bell choir.

In her later years she served as a Friend of Woodbury Library and a volunteer in Woodbury and Middlebury. Her surviving children, Leslee(Craig) Lippman, Laurie(James-deceased) Mansfield, David (Melissa) Duda, Brian(Kim) Duda, and Steven(Joan) Duda learned the joy of music, art and gardening from her. They have passed that to her 10 grandchildren and her 7 great grandkids. She will also be missed by her many nieces and nephews.

Her family is grateful for the care of their mother given by Middlebury Convalescent Home and Dr. DeLuca. Visitation and a brief memorial will be 10 to 11:30AM, Saturday, December 16 at Munson Lovetere Funeral Home, 2 School St. Woodbury. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Friends of Woodbury Library.