It is with deep sorrow and heartache that we have suffered yet another loss of a most treasured family member. On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, The Duke Family Matriarch “Phyllis Duke”, our beloved Mother, passed away. After several years of battling cancer and other health issues, our Heavenly Father called her home. Though we’ll miss her tremendously, we know that we are truly blessed to have had her in our lives, and knowing that she left here and shall be united with the loved ones that graced the heavens before her, brings us peace and the courage to live our lives to the fullest to honor the life she fought so hard for.
She is survived by her son James T. Duke Jr. and wife Ricki Duke, son Timothy Duke and wife Sharon Duke, daughter Theresa Toth and husband Daniel Toth, and her sister Roberta Duke. Additionally, she is survived by and blessed with seven grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, all of whom she would say “hung the moon.”
Preceding her death are her loving husband James T. Duke Sr., eldest daughter Darlene Duke, parents, Ralph and Mildred Murphy, her sister Janet Lujan and her brother Ralph Murphy.
In today’s world, she would be known as a “domestic engineer,” but she would laugh at that and say she was a housewife, mother, and grandmother. She was devoted to her husband and family beyond measure, and like any grandmother, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the twinkling stars in her eyes.
Mom, your wings were prepared, ready, and waiting for you to leave this world, but we were not ready for you to go. We love you dearly and will miss you until we can all be together again. Soar high with your wings of gold and may peace follow you to the heavens for all eternity.
At mom’s request, there will be no funeral or services. If you’re moved to do so, perhaps donating to the Cancer Society or your favorite charity in her name would certainly please her. What a wonderful world it would be if we could someday cure and wipe out cancer altogether.