“Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.”
— Teilhard de Chardin
Sister Joy Duff, 92, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth (SCL) for 57 years, died on January 30, 2025. She was born Diana Joy to Hugh Thomas and Evangeline Marie (née Wilson) Duff on September 5, 1932, in Pasadena, California. She was the second of four children and their only daughter. She entered the Sisters of Charity on January 14, 1969, and kept her baptismal name when she received her habit.
Sister Joy grew up during the Great Depression and witnessed firsthand the sacrifices her parents had to make to provide for their family. She deeply admired her father’s work ethic and was grateful for her mother’s presence in the home. Reflecting on her childhood neighborhood in her autobiography, she recalled with appreciation the abundance of outdoor space the family had for recreation and play: “I believe that this environment gave me a permanent love for the beauty of the outdoors.”
From an early age, Sister Joy knew two things with certainty—she wanted to be a nurse, and she wanted to dedicate her life to God by joining a religious community. Sister Joy, first, received her training in nursing and earned her degree. A dedicated nurse, working at Saint John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, she encountered the SCLs and eventually joined the Community. Her ministry as a nurse was always one of compassion and dedication, touching the lives of countless patients over the years. She served in hospitals and home healthcare programs across California, Kansas, Montana, and Wyoming, always finding deep fulfillment in one-on-one patient care. Among the patients she cared for was Walt Disney during his stay at Saint John’s Hospital. Even after she officially retired and before she returned to the Mother House in 2017, Sister Joy remained committed to serving others, bringing communion to patients and offering spiritual comfort in their time of need as a pastoral minister and chaplain.
Sister Joy was a prayerful woman and could truly rest in the presence of God. One of her favorite Scripture passages was, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Sister Joy also had a deep love for art and found great joy in creating beautiful oil paintings. Through her artwork, she shared her spirituality and the beauty of God’s creation.
Whether through her brushstrokes or her gentle presence, she brought light and warmth to those around her. Her brother, Wayne, shared, “The thing I value most about Joy is that she lived the life she wanted, with no regrets.” Sister Paula Marie Tweet, also an SCL and dear friend said, “She was such a blessing and joy to live with. Her name fit her well.” Sister Joy loved being a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth and it was reflected in her witness as a good and faithful servant. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Sister Joy was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Leslie and Dennis Duff. She is survived by her brother, Wayne Duff, of Los Angeles, California; nieces and nephews; and the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Community.
A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in Ross Chapel, SCL Mother House, Leavenworth. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated in Ross Chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. Interment will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mother House grounds. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, 4200 S. 4th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048.
