Janet Price Duge

Janet Price Simmons Duge, a longtime resident of Victoria, passed away peacefully at her home on December 20, 2012, after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by her family and close friends. Janet was born October 24, 1941, in Victoria, to the late L. W. (Bill) Price and Rose Fitzgerald Price.

Janet grew up in Victoria, and lived within walking distance of Nazareth Academy and St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where her family attended Mass. She graduated from Nazareth Academy, Victoria College, and the University of Texas at Austin. Upon graduating from UT, she moved to Orlando, Florida, where she taught elementary school. Janet later taught elementary school in Victoria, before moving to the Turks & Caicos Islands for three years to help run a family business. Upon returning to Texas, she became an Adult Probation Officer with the 24th Judicial District, serving Victoria and Jackson Counties as a Unit Supervisor.

Janet is survived by her beloved husband of 28 years, James Ray Duge; son William Benton Simmons and wife Dove of Boston, MA; son Kyle Duge and wife Shelley of Brenham; daughter Vaune Yariger and husband Scott of Brenham; grandchildren Ian Simmons, Kirby Simmons, LaNae Kocian and husband Mike; Kirk Yariger and wife Alison; Mase Duge and Molly Duge; and great-grandchildren Aidan Yariger, Gillian Kocian and Nolan Yariger. She is also survived by her brother John (Jack) Price and wife Patsy of Victoria; her niece Lisa Price Welch and husband Andy of Georgetown; and nephew Randall (Randy) Price and wife Pam of Victoria.

Her parents; her oldest son Michael Gray Simmons; and her first husband Herbert Walker Simmons preceded Janet in death. When Janet’s son Michael became ill with cancer, she retired to care for him, until his death in March 1999.

In recent years, Janet and James traveled extensively throughout the United States. Janet’s faith and trust in God inspired all who knew her. Janet was dearly loved by her family and friends, and leaves a legacy of charity and love for God and neighbor.

Janet was very active in the community. She was a member of Our Lady of Victory Cathedral and OLV Altar Society; served as a board member of Hospice of South Texas for nine years; and was involved with the Victoria Art League. She also stayed in touch with her classmates from Nazareth Academy, assisting with organizing reunions and group dinners.

Janet and her family are very appreciative for the loving care provided to her by the staff and volunteers with Hospice of South Texas, especially, Dr. Ty Meyer, Dr. Terry H. Whitehouse and Tammi Dixon, along with her many friends and neighbors for their never ending love and support.

Pallbearers are Mase Duge, Kirk Yariger, Mike Kocian, Randy Price, Monroe Rieger and Gus Kroos. Honorary pallbearers are Pastor Tommy Price, Edgar Duge, Elena Tyng Watts, Mary Margaret Rieger, David & Rose Drost, Mary Jeansonne, Patsy Brown, Madeline Tyng Dodson, Susan Oakley and Sandy Ryan.

A Rosary will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral, followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 22. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of South Texas, 605 E. Locust Avenue, Victoria, TX 77901; Adams Angels Ministry, P. O. Box 2573, Brenham, TX 77834-2573; or Wounded Warriors Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com