Kathryn Dufficy

Kathryn Alice Dufficy, 88, of Denver passed away peacefully at home on Friday, June 19, 2015. One of eight devoted children of Clara Therien and Joseph Quinn, beloved wife of William James Dufficy (USN/WWII), and proud mother of Mary Kathryn (Richard Ratigan) of Lakewood, William Joseph (Jean) of Lakewood, Timothy Patrick (Nancy) of Boulder, James Joseph (Sheryl) of Driggs, Idaho, Thomas Emmett (Patricia Kelly) of Lakewood, Daniel Francis, deceased (Lisa), Kevin Matthew (Ellen) of Lakewood, and Clara Ann (Francisco LaRosa) of Lakewood. Kathryn also is survived by her faithful sister Corinne (Mike McLellan) of Denver, and 23 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Kathryn devoted her early years to helping her mother and seven siblings cope with the trials of the Great Depression after their father's untimely passing. A standout student at St. Joseph's Catholic High School in Denver and National Honor Society member, Kathryn could not afford to attend college, and instead worked as an executive assistant in the Denver investment firm of Peters, Writer & Christiansen to help support the family. Kathryn and her siblings developed powerful bonds of loyalty and friendship during those formative years which endured the rest of their lives. Kathryn was similarly devoted to her faith community, attributing the family's survival in part to the support of the Sisters of Mercy at their parish, Presentation of Our Lady Catholic Church. Kathryn later gave back through tireless volunteering and fund-raising for Presentation's grade school, and later for the Denver high schools attended by her children, St. Francis de Sales and St. Joseph's. When these schools were closed for lack of funding, Kathryn helped to form a new, consolidated Central Catholic High School near downtown, which provided nearly 10 more years of Catholic education for Denver-area families. She also played key roles in fund-raising for building new churches for the Queen of Vietnamese Martyrs (Wheat Ridge) and Presentation parishes. In 1976, Kathryn helped her husband and sons form and grow a new business, Central Denver Ironworks, which remains in operation today. Kathryn was a life-long student of history, greatly admiring the lives of Abe Lincoln and St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and meditated often on Acts. Visitation Monday, 6/29 at 6pm, followed by Recitation of the Rosary at 7pm, Risen Christ Catholic Church, 3060 S. Monaco Pkwy. Funeral Mass Tuesday, 6/30 at 10am, Notre Dame Catholic Church, 2190 S. Sheridan Blvd. Interment Fort Logan National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marian Community of Reconciliation, 1060 St. Francis Way, Denver 80204.