Jo Ann Duffany

April 2, 1942 - April 26, 2019

Jo Ann Duffany, born April 2, 1942, resident of Brownstown Township, former resident of Saline, Michigan, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday April 26, 2019 surrounded by her loving children, at 77 years of age. Jo Ann was born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin, graduated 3rd in her senior class, completed her Bachelor's degree at Viterbo University in Lacrosse, Wisconsin and later completed Master's degree in Education at Eastern Michigan University. She spent the nine years following high school dedicated to serving the needs of others as a Catholic nun, (Franciscan order) and began her career as an elementary school teacher. Her calling changed in the late 1960s; at which point, Jo Ann maintained her faith in the Catholic church but left the convent before making her final vows. She later met her beloved life partner at her best friend's wedding and married Robert Duffany (Bob) on July 10, 1971. Jo Ann and Bob moved around during the first few years of marriage, living in several states while maintaining careers and beginning their family, each of their three children born in different states. Jo Ann and Bob spent the majority of their married life raising their children in Saline, Michigan. Jo Ann continued to serve her community as a religious education instructor at St. Andrew Catholic Church. She was a sixth grade teacher of math and science at St. Francis of Assisi in Ann Arbor and a natural community collaborator amongst her peers in Saline. She was proud of raising her kids through elementary, middle and high school while Bob was on assignment for several years. After retirement she enjoyed meeting new people, playing games, attending social events in her community, red hat society outings, visiting with friends, Bible study, her cards group, shopping, and spending time with her kids and grandkids and their many activities. She truly loved the human connection and had a knack for bringing people together. She is survived by her children, Ryan Duffany, Scott (Julie) Duffany and Shannon (Dave) Bolton; grandchildren, Evan and Amber Duffany; siblings, John Larson and Jeanette Tinker; sister-in-law, Kathy Duffany. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert G. Duffany, mother and father, Margaret and Leo Larson; sister, Nancy VanOvermeiren and brother, Larry Larson. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Saline. A luncheon will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or to American Cancer and envelopes will be available at the church. Friends may join the family for a time of visitation from 9:00 A.M. until the time of Mass at 11:00 A.M. Burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetery in Saline at a later date. To leave a memory you have of Jo Ann, to sign her guestbook, or for directions please visit www.rbfhsaline.com.