Gloria Eng Duke

Dr. Eng led a full and adventuresome life. Born in Milwaukee, WI., she grew up in South China and Hong Kong, where the suffering she witnessed during World War II inspired her to become a doctor. After the war Dr. Eng returned to the United States and graduated from Marylhurst College in Oregon in 1950. She then attended Marquette University’s College of Medicine, one of three women in her class. She graduated in 1955.

Dr. Eng married a Marquette classmate, C. James Duke, and together they set up practice in suburban Washington. In the early 1960s Dr. Eng went to work at Children’s Hospital, where she would spend decades and serve as longtime chief of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Both she and Dr. Duke were pioneers in the then-new specialty of physical medicine, also known as physiatry. Among her many contributions while at Children’s Hospital Dr. Eng established the Home Care Services.

In addition to her reputation as a brilliant clinician, Dr. Eng was an academician and professor, serving on the faculty of George Washington University and training many students and fellows. She was a researcher and author and lectured around the world. Her honors included the Distinguished Clinician Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Dr. Eng retired from medicine in 1998. Always a talented artist, in retirement she further pursued her passion for painting, her skill as a chef, and her enjoyment of golf. She had a deep appreciation for classical music and opera. Dr. Eng was fluent in Cantonese and conversant in Mandarin. All who knew her appreciated her strong attachment to Hong Kong and the family and friends who remained in Asia.

Her family remembers her as a trailblazer and woman of tremendous achievement. She was a kind and supportive mother and friend, had innate style and taste as well as remarkable insight, and inspired everyone with her energy, wit, and enthusiasm for life.

Dr. Eng was a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Chevy Chase and later St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Bethesda. She also was a longtime member of Columbia Country Club.

Dr. Eng was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents, Jack and Wanda Eng; brother Anthony; and sister Jacqueline. She is survived by a sister, Barbara Eng. She is also survived by her four children: Jacqueline (William R. Beasley), Christopher, M.D. (Lillian); Teresa (Robert Hale), and Paula (Kevin Ebel); grandchildren Eleanor Dunnigan, Ryan Ebel, Connor Ebel, James Duke, and Jacqueline Duke; sister-in-law Donna Duke; and nieces and nephews.

The Duke family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers at Kensington Park Senior Living for the excellent care Dr. Eng received in her later years.

A funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Chevy Chase, MD. A private burial will follow.

Arrangements by DeVol Funeral Home..Gifts in Dr. Eng’s honor can be made to the Children’s National Hospital Foundation (https://childrensnational.org/) and the Special Olympics (https://support.specialolympics.org/).