Ola Grace "Sunny" Duncan's Obituary
Ola Grace “Sunny” Duncan, 109, of Springfield, IL, formerly of Lake Worth, Florida, died 7:10 AM, October 2, 2018 at Illinois Presbyterian Home, Springfield, IL.
She was born September 8, 1909 in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, the youngest of four children of Angus Bruce and Maggie Adelaide Gleeson. She married John Fergus Duncan on June 22, 1935 in Detroit, MI. He preceded her in death on November 15, 1986.
She was also preceded in death by her parents, two sisters and a brother.
Mrs. Duncan is survived by a daughter, Lynn (George) King of Springfield, two granddaughters, Elizabeth (Luc Vanier) Johnson, Gainesville, FL and Jennifer (Eric) Russell, Skokie, IL; five great grandchildren, Seth Johnson, Mari Johnson, Stephen Johnson, Olivia Grace Russell, Owen Russell and several nieces and nephews.
She has been a resident of the Illinois Presbyterian Home Fair Hills Residence in Springfield since 2008.
Mrs. Duncan was raised on the family farm in Ontario, Canada, attended a one room school and began a career as an executive secretary after graduation from Chatham, Ontario Business College in 1927 achieving “First-in-Class” awards. Her employment in Canada and the U.S. included Bell Telephone Co. Of Canada, Burroughs Corporation, Vickers Corporation, Stainless Ware of America and Walled Lake, Michigan Consolidated Schools where she was secretary to the superintendent and Director of Teacher Personnel.
Retiring in 1971, Mrs. Duncan and her husband moved to Lantana, FL where she was an active volunteer at JFK Medical Center and Lake Worth Presbyterian Church and 1st Congregational Church of Lake Worth, FL. An avid shuffleboard player, “Sunny” was a fierce competitor well into her 80’s and 90’s and won trophies in area tournaments. She stopped driving when she was 90 because her car “died”. Just weeks before, however, the state of Florida had issued her a no-test, renewal for four years.
As to her longevity, Mrs. Duncan attributed her long life to a formula that included daily exercise, no smoking, little alcohol, sound sleep, and a positive outlook on life.
Memorials may be made to the Illinois Presbyterian Home Fair Hills Residence, Springfield, IL.
Mrs. Duncan’s cremated remains will be interred beside those of her husband’s in Lantana, Florida.
The Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Mrs. Duncan. Condolences may be left to her family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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