In Memory of

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Sheila A. (Lunny) Duffy, of Darien, CT, who passed away peacefully on August 28, 2025, at 90 years of age. Sheila was the beloved wife of her late husband, Michael A. Duffy, for 49 years. Shortly after their marriage in 1957, the couple moved to Darien, where they devoted their lives to lovingly raising their three children, Deborah A. Paparella (husband, Mark), Michael A. Duffy, Jr. (late wife, Marla) and William E. Duffy (wife, Lynn). Sheila loved her son-in-law and daughters-in-law like her own children. She was also a very proud, incredibly loving and devoted grandmother to her five grandchildren, Michael A. (Mickey) Duffy, III (fiancé, Rebekah), Kellen J. Paparella, Brianna H. Duffy, Jenna R. Duffy and Ryen T. Duffy. Sheila loved her family with all her heart, and delighted in sharing in all of their milestones and accomplishments. She always had the brightest smile and gave the most enthusiastic cheers at any of their celebrations or sports events.

Sheila was born on February 10, 1935, in Newton, Massachusetts, to her cherished parents, the late William H. Lunny and Dorothy (Drew) Lunny. In addition to her parents, Sheila grew up in a multi-generational home at “Old 324” with her maternal grandparents, Ernest and Grace (Hubbard) Drew, and her four beloved siblings, Pat, Bill, Don and Sandy, who all provided endless fun, laughter, love and support throughout her life. Sheila cherished her Boston roots and took pride in her family’s New England heritage, which can be traced back to revolutionary times. Her grandmother, Grace Hubbard Drew, was a member of the DAR. In addition, her great-grandfather, William Wines Hubbard, is included in One Thousand Years of Hubbard History, which traces the Hubbard family lineage.

Sheila attended Newton schools throughout her childhood and graduated early from Newton High School. After graduation, she went on to work as an executive assistant for the founder and president of a company in Boston. She met her future husband, Mike, on a blind date through a friend at work. After Mike’s graduation from the University of Connecticut, and with six months left to complete his service as a Navigator in the Air Force, the couple was married at Corpus Christie Church in Newton on March 2, 1957. Six months later, after completion of Mike’s service, the couple moved in with Mike’s parents in Darien, while they looked for a home of their own. Mike’s parents, the late Edward M. Duffy and Anna M. (Flynn) Duffy, welcomed Sheila with open arms and she enjoyed a very loving and close relationship with them as well as with Mike’s siblings, Pat, Eddie and Margie, as well as with their spouses and the rest of Mike’s extended family in Darien, including his Great Aunt and Great Uncle, Mary (Duffy) and Joseph Roth.

Once they started their family, Sheila became a stay-at-home mom; her most cherished role. She made sure her children always felt loved, happy and secure, by her constant nurturing care, her always having their backs, her big bear hugs, her amazing meals and the way she made all of their days, including special occasions and holidays, more beautiful and fun. In addition to providing a home full of love and warmth every day, she also showed her love by making her children homemade valentines, beautiful Easter baskets, homemade Halloween costumes, and placing beautifully decorated presents under the tree at Christmastime.

In addition to raising her three children, Sheila volunteered as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, volunteered with her husband, Mike, at their children’s elementary school’s Tokeneke Fair, and volunteered for the American Heart Association, and the American Cancer Society.

Once her children had been in elementary school for a few years, Sheila went back to work at Zotos International Inc., where she worked as a Paralegal who specialized in trademark registration. Due to her aptitude, efficiency and strong work ethic, she was quickly promoted. Several years later, after taking some time off from work to help care for her mother toward the end of her mother’s life, she went to work for the Board of Education with the City of Stamford. She retired in 2002, and enjoyed spending her retirement with Mike, and their children and grandchildren, which included trips to Disney and the Cape. She always put her family first, and she continued to be a tremendous source of strength and support throughout her life to all of her children and their spouses; willing to drop everything whenever they needed her help, or sought her sage guidance or advice. A great source of Sheila’s strength, was her quiet, but strong faith; which never waivered. She was a parishioner of St. John’s Church, in Darien, for over 60 years, and enjoyed being a member of the church choir there with her sister-in-law, Margie.

In addition to her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren, Sheila is survived by her beloved sister, Sandra J. Lunny, and her beloved sister-in-law, Margaret (Margie) Pace. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren, whom she loved dearly. She is also survived by a dear family friend, Donna Mazzola, who was like a sister to her, as well as her lifelong friend from childhood, Charlotte Parla.

In addition to her parents and grandparents, Sheila was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Paul Kilmain, her brother and sister-in-law, William H. Lunny, Jr. and Agnes Lunny, her brother and his wife, Donald F. Lunny and Doris Jafferian, and a baby sister, Barbara Lunny. She was also predeceased by two of her nieces, Kristin Lunny Harrison, and Betsy Lunny Stickley.

As mentioned previously, Sheila was predeceased by her dear daughter-in-law, Marla B. Duffy, her in-laws, Edward and Anna Duffy, as well as her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Patrick and Diane Duffy, and Edward and Emily Duffy, as well as her brother-in-law, Leonard Pace (Margie’s husband). She was also predeceased by three of her nephews, Edward Duffy, Michael Brin, and Marcel (Barney) Brin.

Sheila genuinely cared about everyone, and extended her warmth and friendliness to anyone she met. It is a testament to her that everyone loved her, including all of her children’s friends, who looked forward to spending time in her company. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a beautiful soul, who possessed a warm, loving heart, had a fun-loving spirit, a great sense of humor, and a beautiful smile. In addition, she was known for her grace and style, and for being the epitome of a class act. She will be terribly missed, but lovingly remembered by all.

Sheila’s family will receive friends on Friday, September 5, 2025 from 5:00-8:00 pm at the Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Rd., Darien, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Church, 1986 Post Rd., Darien, with burial to immediately follow at Spring Grove Cemetery, 41 Hecker Ave., Darien. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the American Heart Association, or the Alzheimer’s Association. To leave an online condolence, please visit www.LawrenceFuneralHome.com