In the afternoon of May 9, 2019 Virginia “Jinny” Duff, 95, reached her goal and passed on to the Kingdom of her Savior. Her death occurred at Firelands Regional Medical Center following a brief illness. Virginia was the second daughter of Harry Carl and Myrtle (Plue) Fry of Bellevue, Ohio born on July 12, 1923.
Her school years were spent in Berlin Heights where her father Harry worked for the Hast Fruit Farm and Myrtle sold “fry pies fried by Fry on Fridays”. During her high school years, they lived in Venice where Harry ran the filling station and Virginia and her sister Barbara attended Margaretta High School. After Barbara’s graduation the family moved to Sandusky and Virginia graduated from Sandusky High School in the class of 1941.
She married Rex Gay on January 1, 1944. Rex was in the service and they traveled the country pulling a small trailer. They were what campers today call “Full Timers”.
On March 6, 1945 their son Dean Allen was born in the state of Washington. Virginia and Dean returned to Sandusky. She and Rex were then divorced in 1950.
On February 24, 1962 she married William “Bill” Duff. Jinny worked for Ohio Bell for 33 years as a service representative. In 1982, at the age of 58, she received her associate degree from BGSU Firelands College.
After receiving her degree, she worked at the Erie County Senior Center as the Outreach Coordinator for 13 years. Jinny volunteered for Meals on Wheels with her friend Les Gildenmeister and at Care and Share. She was a long-time member of First Christian Church where she served as Deaconess, Treasurer, and Sunday school teacher.
Her hobbies included traveling, playing cards, bowling, reading, and was an avid Cleveland Indians fan. In 2010 Jinny moved to the Parkvue Community where she enjoyed her independence and the activities they offered. Left to grieve her passing, but very thankful to God for all the good years shared with Aunt Jinny are two nieces, Dolores (Tom) Hartley and Rebecca (Chris) Harlan; one nephew, David (Judy) Wilber; two great nephews, Robert Bruns and Josh Harlan; three great nieces, Janet Wilber Hamilton, Sarah Wilber Thompson, and Lindsay Scott; four great great nieces, three great great nephews, and the six Kahle nephews and their families.
She was preceded in death by her husband William Duff in 1987; her son Dean Gay in 1970; her parents, Harry Carl and Myrtle Fry; one sister, Barbara Fry Wilber in 2008; one niece, Janet Sue Wilber in 1964; brother-in-law, Burdette Wilber in 1983; great nephew, Richard Bruns in 1983; and half-brother and his wife, Percy and Eleanor Kahle. Friends may call from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Monday, May 13, 2019 in the First Christian Church, 3410 Hayes Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870 and from 10:00 AM until time of funeral service at 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 14, 2019 at the church. Pastor Don Spurlock will officiate.
Burial will be in Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, Erie County Senior Center, 620 E. Water Street, Sandusky, Ohio 44870, or to the donor’s favorite charity. Pfeil Funeral Home, Sandusky Chapel, 617 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky is entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences may be shared with the family at pfeilfuneralhome.com.
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