Peggy Duff

Peggy Lou Duff, 81, passed away from natural causes, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022 at her home in the Rattlesnake Valley of Missoula.

She was born Nov. 9, 1940 in Fort Knox, KY, to Mary Catharine and Loren Snyder. They lived in a small house in Ekron, KY. Her mother was a teacher and played organ at the church next door. Her father was in the Army and fought in WWII. She attended high school at Meade County High School where she was salutatorian. She attended college at Georgetown College in Kentucky where she was president of the Sigma Kappa sorority. After college she returned to Meade County to teach elementary school in Brandenburg, KY.

On July 18, 1964 she married Duane Richard Duff and together they began their 58 year journey together. The couple lived in Roseville, CA where Duane worked in lumber and Peggy continued her teaching career. They then moved to Vancouver, BC and Portland, OR. Finally settling in Missoula. MT in 1971.

She loved children. She taught first grade and substitute taught throughout her life. She was an involved, loving, mostly patient, mother, grandmother, teacher, and surrogate parent for neighborhood children.

It is an understatement that she loved books. Peggy was an insatiable reader. This is a trait she passed down to her brightest progeny. She accumulated an enormous collection of books both physical and digital. Over the years, Duane has become a master at building bookshelves. The family cabin has become an unofficial library.

She loved to travel. Peggy explored the west with her family. She enjoyed camping in the mountains, skiing, horse pack trips in the Bob Marshall, rafting the Salmon and Colorado rivers, backpacking, enjoying the National Parks of the U.S. and Canada, and visits to Alaska and Hawaii. She saw every continent, traveling to Central America, The British Isles, New Zealand, Ukraine, Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia, Patagonia, Antarctica, Egypt, Mongolia, Africa and China.

She loved to socialize. Her friends and book clubs were the focus of her daily life. Her friends gave her support and love that made her life special, and eased her mind during the difficult times of the pandemic. Even later in life, she was seldom at home. She was out at restaurants, visiting her friends, or hosting at home. Thank you to all her friends for the happiness and fullness you gave her.

She loved family. It is not always easy being a Duff. She was the only one in the family who chose this circumstance and we adore her for it. We are a close and active family. We support each other unconditionally. We can also be loud and sometimes irritating. Peggy was the center of our family life. She took on the role of matriarch with love and patience, only losing her temper when her children and husband deserved it.

She was the oldest in a group of close and quirky siblings. George Snyder, Teri Wear, Cathy Haring, and Nancy Webber. They remained close all of Peggy’s life and often traveled to visit each other, and were always welcome to Peggy’s home in Montana for short visits. During these visits her southern drawl would always return to her for some time. Her youngest sibling Teri also found her way to Montana giving Peggy a constant connection to her childhood in Kentucky.

She loved Missoula. This is the home she chose for her family. She adored the place and community. She and Duane raised their kids in an exceptional neighborhood in Lincoln Hills. We shared that neighborhood with a group of neighbors that raised their children together, namely the Grahams, Mainwarings, Bryants, and Mudds.

She was patient.
She was kind.
She was loved immeasurably.

She is remembered joyfully by all of her family and friends.
Her husband: Duane Duff. Her children and their spouses: Kelly Duff, Derek Couse, Krista Kear, Jarrod Kear, Robert Duff, and Manon Damboise. Her grandchildren: Hunter Kear, McKenzie Kear, Gabriel Duff, Mathis Duff, Triston Shepard, Shelby Shepard, and Hunter Couse. Her brother and sisters: George Snyder, Teri Wear, Cathy Haring, and Nancy Webber. Her extended family and countless friends.

Please join us for a celebration of Peggy’s life at the Bella Vista Pavilion at Fort Missoula (2725 CCC Rd), 12:00pm, Tues., Aug. 23rd. We will have refreshments and food. There will be an opportunity for anyone who wishes to share their thoughts and stories. Please bring anything you wish to share and casual attire is suggested.