Mary was born in Chapman, Kansas on October 7, 1918 to Rome Kolling and Cecil (Preston) Kolling. There Mary met and married Floyd Albert Duffy Jr and moved to Wichita, Kansas. Floyd was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1942 so Mary moved back to her home farm in Dickinson County where their only child, Kay was born. After the war, Mary and Floyd moved back to Wichita where they spent the rest of their lives. They were devout Christians and active members of Hillside and Central Christian Churches.
Mary enjoyed crafts, games, anything fun! - and loved to engage others. She was the Director of Children’s Activities at Wesley Hospital for 35 years and then practiced real estate until Floyd retired. Mary and Floyd were avid bridge players and taught their grandchildren many, many card games. They also loved to travel, so upon retirement they visited every state in the US as well as Europe, Mexico, and Canada. Never ones to be idle, when in Wichita they bid on and conducted estate sales or participated in artisan fairs and craft shows in Oklahoma and Kansas.
Mary’s favorite memories were summers in their Colorado cabin and winters in Florida, cheering on Floyd’s beloved Detroit Tigers at spring training.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents and husband of 67 years, Floyd.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter Kay (Larry) Woods of Edmond, grandchildren Christopher Woods of California and Kimberly (Richard) Harris of Wichita, and great-grandchildren Brad, Chris, and Kate Harris of Wichita.
Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2pm Friday May 24th 2024 at Central Christian Church, 2900 Rock Road, Wichita.
Memorials may be given to the Encouragers Sunday School Class at Central Christian Church or Gentiva Hospice (9229 E 37th St N #102b, Wichita KS 67226)
